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The vessels of the house of the LORD

6/22/2016

 
Who is there among you of all His people? his GOD be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD GOD of Israel, (He is the GOD,) which is in Jerusalem. And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of GOD that is in Jerusalem. Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spirit GOD had raised, to go up to build the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem. And all they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, beside all that was willingly offered. (Ezra 1:3-6)
     Our journey through Mark now complete, we turn our attention to the history in Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. Ezra was a faithful scribe who collected many of the books of the Old Testament after the books of the Law and the books of wisdom and gathered them together, though not the same way we know them, into the Hebrew Scriptures or Old Testament. He begins his chronicle with the command and proclamation by Cyrus for the Jews to go back to Judah and Jerusalem and rebuild the temple which Babylon had torn down when Jerusalem was overthrown and the Jews were captured. The captivity of the Jews is drawing to a close and GOD has moved to return His people to their land and build a new temple that they may worship Him in spirit and in truth.
 
     When GOD moves, we must strengthen ourselves to the work, not in our own strength, or relying simply on our talents, abilities, strengths, and knowledge, but resting in His power, gifts, wisdom, and direction, to accomplish His will and do His work in this lost and dying world. Whatever GOD has called us to do for Him, we must do His work as His ambassadors and servants in this broken and sinful world He has called us to serve in for as long as we are here. He will strengthen us to whatever He brings us to do, and provide all our needs that He may be glorified in the work He does in us, just as He did with the Jews that He sent to build a new temple for Him in Jerusalem.
 
     Then the Jews who were obedient and faithful focused their worship on the Law and the sacrifices, so they needed a temple, the priests, and all the instruments of their worship to meet GOD. Today, we are the temple of the Holy Spirit that lives within us, and we worship all the time, the GOD who redeemed us from the Law and from sin when we repented of our sin, that we might serve Him whom we have received by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. Though a new temple is coming, and GOD will call back the Jews to Himself, and all nations will worship in that temple for a thousand years, and Christ Himself will be there as He rules and reigns on this earth, that is a future still to come.

     Until that day, we are called to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as GOD provides, with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that others may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our GOD has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned us with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go in the power of the Holy Spirit where He sends us, and as we go, to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.
 
       For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

Thou teachest the way of GOD in truth

6/15/2016

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And Jesus answered and said, while He taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the Son of David? For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand, till I make Thine enemies Thy footstool. David therefore himself calleth Him Lord; and whence is He then His son? And the common people heard him gladly. And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces, And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts: Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation. (Mar 12:35-40)
      While the common people heard His message gladly and received His Word, the religious authorities did not, for they were threatened by His authority, knowledge, and proper application of the Scriptures which they misinterpreted for the people and yet said they believed. They looked for the adulation of the crowd and the recognition that came with their offices and titles, but didn't care for the people or their problems. Jesus spoke Truth and gave the people hope, while the scribes and elders who had the Truth spoke pious platitudes and dismissed the people, while taking from them.

     We must be on guard against those who use their position and seeming authority to speak outside the Scriptures. We must search the Scriptures daily to see if those things are so, with our Biblical glasses on, and the guidance and teaching of the Holy Spirit that is within us, that we may know the Truth and the Truth shall make us free. The Son of GOD who is GOD the Son who became a descendant of David after the flesh has given Himself for our sins, and when we repent and receive Him by faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary in our place we are born again and have a new life to live in and through Him who is our life. We don't have to fear this world, nor do we look to any other authority but GOD for our Salvation and deliverance. He alone can save to the uttermost, for He alone is GOD our Saviour, our Creator, Redeemer, and King.

      Until the day when He calls His own unto Himself and we depart this life and are ushered into His presence in the next, either by death or by the rapture of His saints, we are to be about our Father's business. We are called to be His servants, ministering to those around us who are hurting and in need with the Word of righteousness and reconciliation, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. We are commanded to love one another as He loved us, and to disciple one another in His Word that we may grow into the full measure of Him who is our Master, Jesus Christ. We are commissioned into His army of witnesses, not with weapons of the flesh and this world, but with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, having on the full armour of GOD, and in the power of the Holy Spirit, as we go proclaiming the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.

    For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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He taught them as one that had authority

6/14/2016

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And they come again to Jerusalem: and as He was walking in the temple, there come to Him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders, And say unto Him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things? And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, was it from Heaven, or of men? answer Me. And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him? But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed. And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things. (Mar 11:27-33)
       Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son has authority and power to judge, to exercise dominion, to speak and teach Truth, for He is the Word made flesh. He is our Creator and has every right to set His terms for our behaviour and our redemption. He is our Redeemer and has paid the sin debt we cannot pay. He is our King and not only rules in the hearts of those who submit to His authority today, but one day He will rule His earthly Kingdom and then all eternity with the Father. He, with the Father and the Spirit, is the Supreme Authority, GOD of gods and Lord of lords, over kingdoms, princes, powers, and life itself, for He is our life, and all things come from Him. He ever liveth to make intercession for His own, and to draw all who will believe to the Father.

      The scribes, and lawyers, and leaders of the Jews could not admit that His authority was from the Father because of their unbelief, nor could they condemn John, knowing the people's reaction and belief that he was a prophet from GOD. Their unwillingness, in their own pride and self-righteousness, to admit to anything and acknowledge the work of GOD led to their equivocation and acknowledging their unbelief. Pride will keep us from surrendering to GOD on His Terms and repenting of our sins, and our trust in our own righteousness and unwillingness to admit we need GOD will keep us from trusting in Jesus Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary in our place and for our Salvation.

     Those who are secure in Him and born again are to rest in that authority, not as license to sin, but His rightful demand of holiness and righteousness, as we serve our Lord and Master, fellowship with His people, and share Him with others. We are called to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need with the Word of righteousness and reconciliation, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that others might see Christ in us, the hope of glory. We are commanded to love one another as He loved us, and to disciple one another in His Word that all may grow in grace and in the knowledge of Him who died for us. We are commissioned as His witnesses, to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to this lost and dying world in the power of the Holy Spirit that is within us, and as we go, proclaiming the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and acknowledging our sin and reconciliation with the Father through faith in the Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD, might have life in His Name.

    For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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They were as sheep not having a shepherd

6/7/2016

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And He went out from thence, and came into His own country; and His disciples follow Him. And when the Sabbath day was come, He began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing Him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at Him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And He could there do no mighty work, save that He laid His hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And He marvelled because of their unbelief. And He went round about the villages, teaching. (Mar 6:1-6)
      Christ came unto His own, but His own received Him not. The people of His own neighborhood thought they knew who He was, but they did not understand His person or His power, so they were astonished at His teachings. Because of their lack of faith and unbelief, Jesus did not do as many of all the mighty works which He had done elsewhere. The people were only looking with the eyes of the flesh and with their understanding of Jesus as a man, and not realizing He was the Son of GOD who was GOD the Son, the Word made flesh, which was now with them, and that He spoke with the Authority of GOD, and the Truth of Scripture, and wisdom which is from above. They only saw the son of Mary, who was of their village, and his half brothers and sisters who were all known to them, and his earthly vocation as a carpenter. They didn't understand His Father's work and the ministry of reconciliation and redemption that Christ had come to provide.

      Many of our own families may not understand or believe those of us who are in Christ, because they know us. Only through the Spirit of GOD and the Word of GOD working in their hearts can they be healed of the spiritual blindness of which they are afflicted. We must be faithful to do the work of GOD and accomplish His will, not our own agenda or seek our way, but surrendered fully to our Lord and walking by faith in the Spirit that others may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory, and desire that which we have received by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. Those of us who have acknowledged our sin before a righteous and holy GOD and repented of that sin, forsaking this world and our lives, for the new life which Christ has purchased for us, and promises to those who believe, are born again, and now walk with Him and in Him the lives we were meant to live.

     We who are in Christ walk by faith, not to remain in sin, or to walk in our own desires, but crucified to the flesh, and reckoning ourselves dead to sin, to the Law, and to this world with its lusts, desires, and pride, we live in the Spirit and glorify the Father in all we do. We serve Him who is our Redeemer, as ministers of reconciliation and ambassadors of the King to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need, with the Word of righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken. We love one another because He first loved us and we are members one of another, and we disciple one another in His Word that we may grow in grace and in the knowledge of Him who is our Master. We proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son because we have believed the Gospel of Jesus Christ and as we go in the Spirit of GOD we want others to know of Him 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. GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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They were astonished with a great astonishment

6/6/2016

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And when He was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed Him that he might be with Him. Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel. (Mar 5:18-20)
      When the Lord works in our lives we are to go and tell that He might be glorified. We are to proclaim His wondrous works among the people, that they might know there is a GOD who saves, and the Jesus Christ has purchased that Salvation in His own body on that tree. We are to lift up the one who has saved us, who provides for our need according to His riches in Glory through Christ Jesus, and who has called us out of darkness into His marvellous light. We are to shout from the highways and the byways, from the rooftops, and out in the fields, all that GOD is and what He can do, that those who repent and believe in Him and His finished work on the Cross of Calvary might be born again into the new life which GOD has prepared for them that love Him.

     Those who walk in darkness fear the light, for their deeds are evil, but those who follow Jesus walk in the light and have the light of life. We are to live in and through Him the life we were meant to live, not our old life remade and repackaged, but new creatures in Christ, crucified to ourselves and to this world. Those without, who have not yet acknowledged their sin and rebellion against a Holy GOD who is just and righteous and repented of their sin that they might be forgiven by our Lord who is loving and gracious, are not yet in Christ, nor can they understand the things of GOD which are Spiritually discerned. We must go and tell them that they may believe in Him and receive His free gift of Salvation and reconciliation with the Father.

      We who are in Christ by faith in Him are called to serve, to represent Jesus who is our Lord and Master, as ambassadors of the King, ministering to those around us who are hurting and in need with the Word of righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they might know Him and see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. We who are made new by the Spirit of GOD within us are to love the brethren as members one of another and disciple one another in the Word of GOD that we might all grow up into the full measure of Him who first loved us. We who have received His redemption are to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to this lost and dying world, and as we go, in the power of the Holy Spirit, proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD, might have life in His Name.

     For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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Let your light so shine before men

6/3/2016

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And He said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick? For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. And He said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath. (Mar 4:21-25)
     Our light, the light of life, reflecting the light of the Saviour, through the Holy Spirit that is within us, should shine forth, not for our glory, or to advance our agenda, but to glorify our Father which is in Heaven and accomplish His will in this broken and sinful world. We are His children and ambassadors of His Kingdom and the life we live while we sojourn here ought to always reflect Him who has called those of us who have believed out of the darkness we once lived in into His marvellous light and placed us as beacons where He wants us to be.

     Our responses to what the sin and suffering in this world, to what the world brings against us, or what we experience in this lost and dying world, must always be with a measure of grace, as children of the King. Our understanding and judgment ought to be tempered by our worldview, through His Word and what it reveals about our GOD, about ourselves and others who are not born again, and His eternal plan of Salvation to all those who repent of their sins and trust Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary.

      His people, the Church of GOD, are called to serve and minister to those around us who are hurting and in need, that they might know Him and see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. His children, the family of GOD, are commanded to love one another and disciple one another in His Word that we might grow thereby. His saints, the army of GOD, are commissioned to the work of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to proclaim His Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD, might have life in His Name.

     For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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What shall I answer Thee?

5/26/2016

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I know that Thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from Thee. Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. Hear, I beseech Thee, and I will speak: I will demand of Thee, and declare Thou unto me. I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth Thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. (Job 42:2-6)
     Job answers all of GOD'S questions and statements regarding Himself and His creation and power with an acknowledgement that GOD is GOD and Job is not, neither did he really understand GOD, though he defended Him and himself to his friends. The Lord chastised Job's friends for their misinformation and for not speaking right about GOD or about Job and told Job to pray for his friends lest GOD deal with them as they deserved. Job entreated for his friends and forgave them and GOD blessed Job in the end with as much as he had lost in the trial.

     GOD can do every thing and His ways are above our ways and His thoughts are above our thoughts, and we, apart from the Spirit of GOD to give us wisdom, cannot understand the things of GOD nor know Him. But GOD is gracious and gives knowledge and revelation of Himself through His Word, that we might know Him and the Spirit of the Lord gives understanding to those who seek Him by faith, for without faith it is impossible to please Him. He will reward those who diligently seek Him and gives Salvation to those who repent and trust Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary for redemption and reconciliation.

      GOD wants every one every where to be saved, and He desires His Church to be on mission with Him that those without might see Christ in us and come to know Him and be born again. GOD calls His people to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need, with the Word of righteousness and reconciliation, rightly divided and fitly spoken, and serve Him as His ambassadors to do His will and accomplish His work in this broken and dying world. GOD commands His children to love one another as members one of another, and to disciple one another in His Word as apprentices in the work of the Kingdom. GOD has commissioned all His saints to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ as we go in the power of the Holy Spirit to this lost and dying world that they may hear the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son and in believing that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD, they might have life in His Name.

       For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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Remember the battle, do no more

5/25/2016

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Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down?
His scales are his pride, shut up together as with a close seal. One is so near to another, that no air can come between them. They are joined one to another, they stick together, that they cannot be sundered. By his neesings a light doth shine, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning. Out of his mouth go burning lamps, and sparks of fire leap out. Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron. His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth. (Job 41:1, 15-21)
      First a lumbering beast who ate grass and lived in the foothills, now a fierce fire-breathing dragon in the sea who puts fear in the hearts of men, and rightfully so. GOD made this creature just as He did the behemoth, and every other creature both great and small. He is above and greater than all His creatures, yet cares for them all. No matter how fierce they have become in this sinful and broken world, GOD is more powerful. He is Lord over all creation, and can deliver those who call upon His Name. He has already given His Son for our Salvation, and can intervene in His creation at His choosing, for He is GOD.

      We are His crowning creation, and though we rebelled against Him and are under the judgment for sin, He loves us and wants us to be with Him. He provided the only way we can return to the Father and those who trust Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary not only have eternal life with Him but abundant life here and now. We are filled with the Spirit of GOD that we might accomplish His will and do His work in this lost and dying world as His servants and ambassadors. Jesus has purchased our pardon and our sins have been laid on Him that we might be made the righteousness of GOD in Him and reconciled with the Father, who is over all.

       Until that day when we are finally in His presence, we are to serve Him in this broken and sinful world, not of it nor conformed to its ways and patterns, but surrendered and submitted fully to our Lord and His will, and ministering to others who are hurting and in need, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Until He is done with us, we are to love one another with an unfeigned love for the brethren, and disciple one another in His Word, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that we may grow into the full measure of our Lord Jesus Christ. While we are here, we are go in the power of the Holy Spirit where He sends us, to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ and as we go, proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD, might have life in His Name.

       For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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Who hath given understanding to the heart

5/23/2016

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Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib? Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee? Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? or wilt thou leave thy labour to him? Wilt thou believe him, that he will bring home thy seed, and gather it into thy barn? (Job 39:9-12)
     Of all the creatures GOD has given us and declares His power over, this is the most confusing to many, for their first thought is of a mythical one-horned horse. Where the idea of a horse has come from is another discussion, but the reality is that the unicorn is simply a rhinoceros, a creature that Job would have been vaguely familiar with. Other scriptures also describe his great power and even the two horned variety GOD describes has unequal horns, just as we know that the rhinoceros has. GOD challenged Job in his understanding, for Job couldn't even tame most of the animals listed, and definitely hadn't created any of them, nor provided for them as they lived in the wild. The rhinoceros was and is the most ferocious and unpredictable of these creatures, and yet GOD is much more powerful.

     His character does not change, and His judgments are true and righteous altogether. The same GOD who created all things, and sustains them through His power, is the same GOD who calls people to acknowledge their sin, repent and return to Him, and receive Him by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary that they might be born again. The first time we are born into sin, and separated from GOD'S righteousness and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. We are as wild, sinful, broken, and unrighteous as the rhinoceros is powerful and uncontrollable. Without the restraining influence of the Spirit of GOD and His Church, the people of GOD, this world would be worse that it is, and one day will be.

     GOD calls His people to holy and righteous living, not self-righteous or self-willed, but serving GOD and living in and through Him the life we were meant to live. He has called His children to serve Him while serving others, ministering to those who are hurting and in need, with the Word of righteousness and reconciliation, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. GOD has commanded His Church to love one another, with unfeigned love for the brethren, and to disciple one another in His Word until we are complete and grown into the full measure of Him who is our life. GOD has commissioned His saints to the work of the ministry, to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and as we go, in the power of the Holy Spirit, where He sends us, to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.

     For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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Touching the Almighty, we cannot find Him out

5/18/2016

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Behold, GOD exalteth by His power: who teacheth like Him? Who hath enjoined Him His way? or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity? Remember that thou magnify His work, which men behold. Every man may see it; man may behold it afar off. Behold, GOD is great, and we know Him not, neither can the number of His years be searched out. (Job 36:22-26)
      Elihu continues with his comments toward Job and his friends, this time exalting GOD and proclaiming His attributes in worship and praise. Elihu might not have had every thing right, but of all Job's counselors, and Job himself, Elihu seems to be the closest to trying to explain God, His wisdom and righteousness, His holiness and understanding, all from their human experience. Job and his friends, even Elihu, had no idea about what was going on in the spiritual realm, nor did any of them really know and understand the wisdom and character of the Almighty GOD whose ways are past finding out.

     We cannot know GOD apart from His revelation of Himself, for His way are above our ways, His thoughts are above our thoughts. He is far past our understanding, and our sin has corrupted our knowledge of the Holy. Because GOD loves us He has given us not only the general revelation in creation that He is, but also the specific revelation in His Word, that which was written down which reveals Him, and when He became flesh and dwelt among us. The Scriptures speak of Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, and our Lord, who spoke all the worlds into being, has given us His Word that we might know Him.

    Those who are born again, who have repented of our sins and trusted in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary for Salvation, are called to serve, not at the will of men or conformed to this world, but doing His will and accomplishing His work in this sinful and broken world we sojourn in. We are to take the Word of righteousness and reconciliation, rightly divided and fitly spoken, to this lost and dying world as His ambassadors and minister to those around us who are hurting and in need. We are to love one another as members one of another and disciple one another that we may grow in Him and be transformed by the renewing of our minds. We are to go with the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and as we go where He directs we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.

     For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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