Personal Thoughts and Ministry

God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation

8/29/2014

Behold, the hand of the LORD is upon thy cattle which is in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and upon the sheep: there shall be a very grievous murrain. And the LORD shall sever between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Egypt: and there shall nothing die of all that is the children's of Israel. And the LORD appointed a set time, saying, To morrow the LORD shall do this thing in the land.
And Pharaoh sent, and, behold, there was not one of the cattle of the Israelites dead. And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go. And the LORD said unto Moses and unto Aaron, Take to you handfuls of ashes of the furnace, and let Moses sprinkle it toward the heaven in the sight of Pharaoh. And it shall become small dust in all the land of Egypt, and shall be a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast, throughout all the land of Egypt.
For now I will stretch out My hand, that I may smite thee and thy people with pestilence; and thou shalt be cut off from the earth. And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee My power; and that My Name may be declared throughout all the earth. As yet exaltest thou thyself against My people, that thou wilt not let them go? (Exo 9:3-5, 7-9, 15-17)

    The list of plagues continues, and Pharaoh is still rebellious and obstinate. Despite the destruction of his gods, his countries property, his people and the wealth and prosperity of Egypt, he will not relent and free what he sees as cheap labor. The people of Israel are going to be the most expensive "cheap" labor Pharaoh has ever seen. Here also begins a division, where GOD in His mercy, separates the Israelites, their cattle, and their crops, from that of the Egyptians. His judgments only come on the people and cattle of Egypt, for they are the transgressors in this scenario.

    This of course, does not equate Israel with innocence, since they are still fallen human beings under the curse of Adam and subject to sIn. But, in GOD's eyes, for the moment, He sees a difference between the rebellious taskmasters of Egypt, and His people, the children of Israel. GOD many times works on behalf of His people despite their sIn, and judges the oppressors because of their sIn. He also always makes a way out for those under judgment, repentance and faithful obedience to Him.

    Today, GOD's people are stricken, and cast down, even killed everywhere just for believing and trusting in their only hope for Salvation. But, even in this we who have put our hope in the One true GOD, know that know matter what happens, GOD is not aiming at us, and He will show Himself strong on behalf of His people. His actions and justice may not deliver us from the trial or even from death, but we will remain faithful to our GOD and continue to witness to those who don't know Him of His love, grace, and mercy to those who turn to Him in faith.

    Until the day the GOD takes us Home from this lost and dying world, and even while this world persecutes us, we have work to do for the Lord. He calls us to be on mission for Him, to minister to the hurting and in need as He guides and provides. He commands us to disciple one another in the Word and in love so that we can be conformed to the image of His dear Son. He has commissioned us to preach and proclaim the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to all who will hear and believe, that in believing 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. Just as GOD called on Pharoah to repent and release the Hebrews, GOD calls you to trust what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. Just as He provided deliverance to Israel, 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, to give you a new heart in Christ. Don't harden your heart as Pharoah did, but turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

Let not Pharaoh deal deceitfully any more

8/28/2014

And the LORD did so; and there came a grievous swarm of flies into the house of Pharaoh, and into his servants' houses, and into all the land of Egypt: the land was corrupted by reason of the swarm of flies. And Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron, and said, Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land. And Moses said, It is not meet so to do; for we shall sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians to the LORD our GOD: lo, shall we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, and will they not stone us? We will go three days' journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to the LORD our GOD, as He shall command us.
And Moses went out from Pharaoh, and intreated the LORD. And the LORD did according to the word of Moses; and He removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people; there remained not one. And Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also, neither would he let the people go. (Exo 8:24-27, 30-32)

    The plagues continue, the pattern of judgment, false acquiescence, and betrayal is still the same. GOD sends a plague to show His power, and strike at the beliefs and idols of Egypt, Pharaoh promises release, and then when the plague is gone, Pharaoh once more reneges on his promise and refuses to let the Israelites go as GOD commanded. But, this pattern will not continue, GOD is pouring out His wrath upon Egypt, and when He is done, Israel will be free, and Egypt will never be the same.

    This world and its sIn will only last so long, before GOD will say that He has had enough, and just as He did with the Flood of Noah's day, He will judge the whole world, but this time by fire. Those that know Him and are secure in Him because of their relationship with Him and their faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary are and will be saved. Those that don't will have the opportunity to repent as long as they are alive, but that opportunity will not last forever. Just as GOD eventually finished with Egypt and Pharaoh, so will He finish with this world, and those in it that refuse to repent and surrender to Him on His terms.

    Until that day, GOD's people have a duty and responsibility to share His message of Hope with this lost and dying world, that they might be saved. GOD has called His people to go, and as we go, we are to minister to the hurting and in need that they might see Jesus in us the Hope of Glory. We are commanded to disciple one another in love and in His Word that we may grow thereby and be conformed to the image of His dear Son. We are commissioned to preach and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all so that they may hear, and those that hear and the Good News of forgiveness and reconciliation through faith in Him may believe and 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 GOD called on Pharoah to repent and release the Hebrews, GOD calls you to trust what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. Just as He provided deliverance to Israel, 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, to give you a new heart in Christ. Don't harden your heart as Pharoah did, but turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

Today if ye will hear His voice harden not your hearts

8/27/2014

And the LORD said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt. And they did so; for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and it became lice in man, and in beast; all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt. And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: so there were lice upon man, and upon beast. Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of GOD: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said. (Exo 8:16-19)

    When Pharaoh reneged on his agreement to let Israel go, it was because he had not been convinced by the 'show' as he saw it. He hated the plague of the frogs, but with a hard heart to the power and presence of GOD, even in the midst of GOD's judgments, he will not repent. Pharaoh, may for a season be sorry, and dismiss Moses and the Israelites, but as soon as the plague is done, he is no longer afflicted and once more will not let them go. We also see that GOD did not warn Pharaoh of this judgment and plague, but sent it the moment that Pharaoh once more turned away from GOD and trusted himself. This time the magicians could not duplicate the 'trick', and they testified of GOD, but Pharaoh would not hear or repent.

    For those that do not know GOD, it is a detriment to their eternal soul, should they ever get to the point that they are so hardened against GOD or the things of GOD that they no longer hear from Him. Not only is their heart hard, but He no longer calls them to Himself or repentance from sIn. They are left to themselves, because they would have it no other way, and when they die, having done so without Christ, they are cast out, being already under condemnation because of their sIn and rebellion against a Holy GOD.

    For the Christian, we cannot get that far away, for GOD will chastise us, and bring us back to Himself, or if we will not hear and repent, He can call us Home. GOD does not leave us orphans, nor will he ever leave or forsake us, for He is a loving Father who cares for His own.

    In GOD's own time, when He has had enough, and the time of the Church is done, He will call all His ambassadors Home, and unleash His wrath upon those who have rejected Him. For the living, there is still hope and Salvation by the grace of GOD offered to those who repent and believe in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. But, until that day, the Church, GOD's own people are sent and supplied to minister to the hurting and in need as GOD gives the increase. We are encouraged and equipped to disciple one another in the Word and in love that we may grow in Christ. We are commanded and commissioned to preach and proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to those we meet. As we go, we are to tell them of the forgiveness and reconciliation with our Righteous GOD that only comes from Him, that those who hear and 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. Just as GOD called on Pharoah to repent and release the Hebrews, GOD calls you to trust what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. Just as He provided deliverance to Israel, 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, to give you a new heart in Christ. Don't harden your heart as Pharoah did, but turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

That thou mayest know that there is none like unto the LORD our GOD

8/26/2014

And the LORD spake unto Moses, Go unto Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Let My people go, that they may serve Me. And if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs: And the river shall bring forth frogs abundantly, which shall go up and come into thine house, and into thy bedchamber, and upon thy bed, and into the house of thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thine ovens, and into thy kneadingtroughs: And the frogs shall come up both on thee, and upon thy people, and upon all thy servants.
And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt. And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt. Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Intreat the LORD, that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the LORD.
And the LORD did according to the word of Moses; and the frogs died out of the houses, out of the villages, and out of the fields. And they gathered them together upon heaps: and the land stank. But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said. (Exo 8:1-4, 6-8, 13-15)

    Because of Pharaoh's hard heart, and the work that He is doing to deliver the Israelites, God now sends a plague of frogs upon the Egyptians. These frogs were everywhere, and when for a moment, Pharaoh relented, all the frogs that had gotten into everything died, and made the plague worse with all the dead frogs.

    GOD's judgment of sIn, whether as a specific action as seen here, or in general in this broken and sinful world has consequences and results. GOD could have removed the frogs, but instead chose to show the Egyptians, that while He is the GOD of the living, He is also GOD over all other gods, which are idols, and an offence to Him.

    For the Christian, we see GOD's power, and we praise Him. We see Him acting to deliver His people, and we worship. But, we are also admonished to understand He can also work to chastise and correct us, when we forget all His benefits, or lift ourselves up more highly than we ought. GOD is GOD, and there is no other, and He alone is to be worshipped.

    GOD calls His people to speak His Word wherever we are sent; in the workplace, the schoolhouse, the neighbourhood and the marketplace. We are to be like Moses, and do all that the Lord commands, as He tells us to minister to the hurting and those in need, as He gives the increase. We are to disciple one another in His Word that we may be conformed to the image of His dear Son, equipped and encouraged in love for the work He has for us to do. Above all else, we are commissioned to proclaim the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary for forgiveness and reconciliation with GOD, that those 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. Just as GOD called on Pharoah to repent and release the Hebrews, GOD calls you to trust what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. Just as He provided deliverance to Israel, 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, to give you a new heart in Christ. Don't harden your heart as Pharoah did, but turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

Thus saith the LORD, in this thou shalt know that I AM the LORD

8/25/2014

And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh's heart is hardened, he refuseth to let the people go. Get thee unto Pharaoh in the morning; lo, he goeth out unto the water; and thou shalt stand by the river's brink against he come; and the rod which was turned to a serpent shalt thou take in thine hand. And thou shalt say unto him, The LORD GOD of the Hebrews hath sent me unto thee, saying, Let My people go, that they may serve Me in the wilderness: and, behold, hitherto thou wouldest not hear.
And Moses and Aaron did so, as the LORD commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood. And the fish that was in the river died; and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river; and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt. And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the LORD had said. And Pharaoh turned and went into his house, neither did he set his heart to this also. And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river. (Exo 7:14-16, 20-24)

    The Lord sent Moses down to the Nile, to once again show Himself strong on behalf of His people. He knew that Pharaoh would harden his heart toward the Lord and toward Moses, partly because his own magicians could also duplicate this 'trick' as he saw it. Because he could explain it as a trick, he could deny the Lord, and resist the command to release the Hebrews.

    Because GOD is showing Himself as GOD alone, He is denying the power and existence of all of Egypt's idols and false gods, we will see that it will take ten plagues to overcome Egypt and deliver the Israelites. God is faithful and will carry out everything He promised to Moses and the Israelites. Here He witnesses against their belief that life came from the Nile, for GOD says that life is in the blood. While the Nile may have watered their crops, GOD is the one who gives the increase, and provides life to all. He also testified to them of their bloody practice of sacrificing to the 'Nile' as a god, and what it really cost them, for the Nile was a place of death, not life.

    Just as He showed the Egyptians of their false beliefs, GOD will work in our lives as well. He will show us things from His Word that we may correct our lives and be more like Him. But, He is not only working conform us to His dear Son, but He left His Church on this earth to minister to those around us, and to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are to be as obedient as Moses, to go where we are sent, and say what GOD would have us to say, so that He is glorified, and His Word is proclaimed to this lost and dying world.

    GOD wants His people to be on mission for Him, to minister to the hurting and meet their needs according to GOD's provision. He commands the Church to disciple one another in love and His Word that they may grow thereby. He has commissioned, and He will equip us for the task, to go and proclaim the Good News of Salvation to those who hear. As we go, we tell them of faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary for forgiveness and reconciliation with GOD, 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. Just as GOD called on Pharoah to repent and release the Hebrews, GOD calls you to trust what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. Just as He provided deliverance to Israel, 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, to give you a new heart in Christ. Don't harden your heart as Pharoah did, but turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of Salvation.

8/22/2014

And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet. Thou shalt speak all that I command thee: and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh, that he send the children of Israel out of his land. And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt. But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay My hand upon Egypt, and bring forth Mine armies, and My people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments. And the Egyptians shall know that I AM the LORD, when I stretch forth Mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them.
And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent. Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods. And he hardened Pharaoh's heart, that he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said. (Exo 7:1-5, 10-13)

    GOD begins to work with Moses and Aaron to not only convict Pharaoh, but to show His power and majesty. What looks to Pharoah as simple magic tricks that even his own magicians could do is simply the beginning. The simplicity and duplication also served to further the hardening of Pharoah's mind and heart toward GOD and Moses. Not only was Israel delivered by the strong and mighty Hand of GOD, but GOD would indeed be justified in the judgments He poured out in wrath upon rebellious and idolatrous Egypt.

    Pharoah had a choice to repent, but turned away from GOD, instead of turning away from his sIn, and received exactly what he wanted, but not in the way he expected it. GOD is going to deliver His people, and Egypt will suffer for it because of their idolatry and rebellion, but in all of it, GOD is just and wanted to show mercy to those who believe and repent, trusting Him alone for deliverance.

    Today, we are much the same way, when tragedy strikes, or 'evil' comes our way, we are faced with a choice. We can trust GOD, and repent where necessary, or we can remain in rebellion to our Creator. If we get angry at GOD for the 'evil' in this world, or blame Him when He chastises us, we are looking in the wrong place. When Adam sinned and all nature was cursed, this world was no longer the perfect place that GOD had created. When we stray ourselves, GOD is just to punish us and to correct us, so that we repent and give GOD the glory He alone deserves.

    For, until He calls us Home, we are here on this earth to minister to those around us, as His ambassadors. We are to disciple one another so that His children are equipped for the work, and we are to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ through faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. As we go, we are commanded and commissioned as partakers of the grace of GOD to take the message of hope and mercy 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. Just as GOD called on Pharoah to repent and release the Hebrews, GOD calls you to trust what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. Just as He provided deliverance to Israel, 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, to give you a new heart in Christ. Don't harden your heart as Pharoah did, but turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

And GOD spake unto Moses and said unto him, I AM the LORD

8/21/2014

Then the LORD said unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land.
And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered My covenant. Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I AM the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments: And I will take you to Me for a people, and I will be to you a GOD: and ye shall know that I AM the LORD your GOD, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage: I AM the LORD.
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Go in, speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, that he let the children of Israel go out of his land.
And it came to pass on the day when the LORD spake unto Moses in the land of Egypt, That the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, I AM the LORD: speak thou unto Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I say unto thee. And Moses said before the LORD, Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh hearken unto me? (Exo 6:1, 5-8, 10-11, 28-30)

    The Lord GOD continues to work with Moses, to alleviate his concerns about Pharoah and the Israelites, and to show Himself strong on behalf of His people. GOD once again promises, that despite Israel, and despite Pharoah, GOD's people will be delivered and released from Egypt. Egypt will be defeated, its gods will be shown as not gods, but idols, and GOD will triumph just as He says. GOD is GOD, and He alone is the GOD of the universe. He will accomplish everything He says He will do.

    The Israelites had to learn trust and to obey GOD even in their circumstances, and believe that GOD could do everything He said He would do. We today must trust that the GOD of the Israelites is also the GOD of the Church, and He is GOD alone, there is no other. These events are given to us, not only to show His character and nature, but for our example, that we see ourselves in the interaction with GOD.

    Just as Israel was delivered from Egypt, we who are His, were redeemed from our sIn by His mighty outstretched arm, through His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. We look to the Scriptures for Hope, to understand Him, and to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ of which they speak. This is the message we have for this lost and dying world.

    All of us are to preach His Word, reach out in ministry, and teach one another in the Word. We are commissioned as His Church, to minister to the hurting around us in missions and as GOD guides us. We are called to disciple one another in love and through His Word to grow and be conformed to the image of His dear Son. We are commanded to take His Word wherever we go and as we go, proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ, that those that hear and 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 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, to give you a new heart in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

Do all those wonders before Pharaoh which I have put in thine hand

8/20/2014

And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go. And they said, The GOD of the Hebrews hath met with us: let us go, we pray thee, three days' journey into the desert, and sacrifice unto the LORD our GOD; lest He fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword. And the king of Egypt said unto them, Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, let the people from their works? get you unto your burdens. And Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the land now are many, and ye make them rest from their burdens. And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying,
Go ye, get you straw where ye can find it: yet not ought of your work shall be diminished. So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble instead of straw. And the taskmasters hasted them, saying, Fulfil your works, your daily tasks, as when there was straw.
And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Lord, wherefore hast Thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that Thou hast sent me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Thy Name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast Thou delivered Thy people at all. (Exo 5:2-6, 11-13, 22-23)

    Pharoah dismisses Moses just as GOD had said, even denying the Lord, and making the work of the Israelites harder. The people are hard put to complete their quotas, and blame Moses. Pharaoh claims the Israelites are idle, and so need incentive to work, which gets blamed on Moses. Moses, knowing what GOD had told him about Pharoah rejecting the Lord with a hard heart, goes back and complains to the Lord that Pharoah didn't let them go, and the Lord didn't deliver them.

    Many times this world will not understand, outright reject, or even be hostile to GOD's people, and especially the message of GOD. They can't reach GOD, while trying to deny He exists, so they lash out at GOD's servants. They make things worse in the short term, but GOD is faithful and will intercede in His timing to provide and deliver according to His will. We are to submit to His will, trust Him and His ways, and be steadfast, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that even if the world slays us, we are secure in the Lord and will be with Him.

    We often blame GOD for what happens, when we don't have all the facts, or the insight into what GOD is doing. Whether we respond like Moses, we forget what GOD told us, or speak like Job who was not aware of the spiritual battle going on, or like Adam who was in rebellion against GOD and made poor excuses for his sIn. GOD is longsuffering, or we would be consumed in His righteous anger, and merciful toward us, and chastises where He must, and directs His children so that we learn, even when repeating the same errors that were given in the Scriptures for our example.

    Like Moses, the prophets, the disciples, and many who have come before us, we are commissioned and commanded by the Commander of the Lord's Army to minister to the hurting and in need around us as GOD gives the increase. We are to disciple one another in love and in His Word that they may be equipped and encouraged unto every good work. We are to proclaim the Good News of Salvation through faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to this lost and dying world. As we go, we are to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit, and leave the results to GOD, that those 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. GOD calls you to 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, to give you a new heart in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

Now therefore go and I will be with thy mouth and teach thee what thou shalt say

8/19/2014

And the LORD said to Aaron, Go into the wilderness to meet Moses. And he went, and met him in the mount of GOD, and kissed him. And Moses told Aaron all the Words of the LORD who had sent him, and all the signs which He had commanded him. And Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel: And Aaron spake all the words which the LORD had spoken unto Moses, and did the signs in the sight of the people. And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that He had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped. (Exo 4:27-31)

    GOD sent Aaron to go with Moses, and they both went to the children of Israel to proclaim the Word of the Lord. The people heard from GOD, saw the wonders and power as expressed in the promised signs, and believed. Because of their faith, they bowed and worshipped the Lord our GOD.

    When GOD shows up and shows Himself strong on behalf of those who are His, there is worship. When we see ourselves compared to GOD, we humble ourselves before Him. When we understand His awesome power, we praise Him. When we consider His grace and His justice, we thank Him for His mercy and His forgiveness through Jesus Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary.

    Today, GOD commands His Church, the blood-bought people of His body, to go. We are to meet Christ outside the camp and know that just as the world rejected Him, they will reject us. But, GOD is good, and faithful, and will never leave us or forsake us. He goes before us, and will follow after, to prepare the way and to guide and protect those who love Him and are called for His purpose.

    His plan and purpose for His people in this age of the Gentiles, is for us to minister to the hurting, on mission for GOD in our communities. We are directed to disciple one another in love and in His Word, in order that we may grow thereby and be conformed to the image of His dear Son. We are commissioned to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all who will hear, and as we go share His grace and mercy while warning of His justice and His judgment so 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. GOD calls you to 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, to give you a new heart in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

That they may believe that the LORD GOD hath appeared unto thee

8/18/2014

And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The LORD hath not appeared unto thee.
That they may believe that the LORD God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee.
And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign. And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe also these two signs, neither hearken unto thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the river, and pour it upon the dry land: and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry land. And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say. (Exo 4:1, 5, 8-12)

    Moses makes excuses and objections, as many have done, to the call of GOD. He is not afraid of Pharoah, but feels inadequate and that the Israelites won't believe that GOD has sent him. GOD demonstrates his power to remind Moses that He is with Him, and GOD can meet all of Moses' needs and provide for Moses in his ministry on behalf of GOD. GOD has power over nature and over men and their idols, He will accomplish His will and His plan to deliver the people of Israel. Moses was called to lead, not make excuses.

    When GOD calls us, we should not make excuses or think that GOD is somehow wrong to call us, for He knows us better than we know ourselves. We have to trust GOD and rely on Him to work in us, to accomplish His will, and to show Himself faithful.

    GOD has a plan for His people, to evangelize that others may know Jesus Christ through faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. He has a purpose of His Church, to disciple one another in love and through His Word, and for us to minister to all, both within and without, so that others see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. We are commissioned and commanded to minister as He gives the increase, to grow in grace, conformed to the image of His dear Son, and as we go, share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all who will hear and believe, that believing in Him 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. Just as He called Moses to the work of deliverance, GOD calls you to 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, to give you a new heart in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

<<Previous