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Doth not He see my ways, and count all my steps?

5/10/2016

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Terrors are turned upon me: they pursue my soul as the wind: and my welfare passeth away as a cloud. And now my soul is poured out upon me; the days of affliction have taken hold upon me. My bones are pierced in me in the night season: and my sinews take no rest. By the great force of my disease is my garment changed: it bindeth me about as the collar of my coat. He hath cast me into the mire, and I am become like dust and ashes. (Job 30:15-19)

     Job continues his lament over his condition, and lashes out at his so called friends for their harsh words, and others that abused his condition. He is right in that they were not to kind in their explanations, especially since they were wrong about most of what they had to say. Job and his "counselors" were unaware of the spiritual battle and the trial Job was experiencing because he was righteous in the eyes of GOD and his faith and obedience to the Lord was being tested. They did not or would not acknowledge that even in times of trouble, GOD is good and right and just, because they didn't see it themselves.

     We too need to trust GOD, for He is good and right, and He does not change. That trust and faith is not blind, for he has revealed Himself to us, first in His creation, and then through the pages of His Word, the Holy Scriptures, that we might know Him and His righteousness. He has the right to expect righteousness and holiness from His people, and has revealed to us our need of Him. Our righteousness comes through Christ and our faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, not to sin all we want but to live in and through Him the life we were meant to live. In Christ we have received forgiveness which brings liberty, not to sin, but to become more like Him as He works in us to conform us to Himself for our good and His glory.

     We are here, in this broken and dying world but not of it, as ambassadors of His Kingdom, with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, to do His will and accomplish His work in this lost and sinful world. We are to serve Him as we minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We are to love one another as He loved us and disciple one another in the Word of GOD that we may grow thereby. We are to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ as we go, in the power of Holy Spirit who guides us and sends us as He will, and 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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Can a man be profitable unto GOD

4/28/2016

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Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee. Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, and lay up his words in thine heart. If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles. Then shalt thou lay up gold as dust, and the gold of Ophir as the stones of the brooks. Yea, the Almighty shall be thy defence, and thou shalt have plenty of silver. For then shalt thou have thy delight in the Almighty, and shalt lift up thy face unto God. (Job 22:21-26)
     Eliphaz tries to make an argument that contradicts what Job actually has said. Job was not trying to hide anything, and certainly knew that the Almighty could see his pain and suffering. His question was why it was happening and why GOD was, as he thought in his mind at the time, punishing him when as far as he knew he had done what was required to be righteous. GOD had called him His righteous and faithful servant, and allowed the test, but Job was not aware of that part of the conversation, and neither was Eliphaz. Eliphaz insisted that Job must be trying to hide his sin and rebellion from GOD and needed to return to GOD.

      Since this test was not punishment for egregious sin, nor was it the every day calamities that befall all of us who live in this broken and dying world, Eliphaz was in error and his admonishment to Job was misdirected. We would do well to take his words to heart if we are away from GOD or hiding from Him who sees and knows all.  For those that are secure in Christ and made righteous through repentance of our sin, and our faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, we are held in His hands and no matter what comes our way we are safe. That is not a license to sin, for sin is still a reproach and rebellion against GOD, but our sins are and continue to be forgiven, and we are at liberty to live in and through Him the life we were meant to live.

     That life is a life of service, love, and commitment to His will and His work in us and by us for His glory. We minister to those around us who are hurting and in need, as His ambassadors, with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, as He provides that we might be a blessing to others and they might see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. We love one another as members one of another and children of the King, and disciple one another in His Word that we may grow thereby until we are all grown into the full measure of Him who is our Head. We take the Gospel of Jesus Christ with us as we go in the power of the Holy Ghost that is within us, and proclaim His Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in Him that those who believe in Him 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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That ye may know there is a judgment

4/25/2016

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Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends; for the hand of GOD hath touched me. Why do ye persecute me as god, and are not satisfied with my flesh? Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book! That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever! For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see GOD: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me. (Job 19:21-27)
    Job responds to his friends counsel with a well deserved tirade against them for their words of condemnation and rebuke. Job knew that more was going on here, even though he didn't recognize the test that was involved. He knew that GOD had brought this, even though the reality Job was not aware of is that GOD had allowed the testing of His servant. His friends were even worse in their misunderstanding of Job's test and of the nature and character of GOD. Job knew his condition and knew He would see His Lord, His Creator, Redeemer, and King.

      Job got his wish that his words be written down. History does not record who wrote them, but they were written for us to review and study that we might learn from Job. Can we say with the same certainty that we know Jesus lives, and that we shall see Him who has redeemed us from the curse and saved us from our sins and from ourselves. We have more of His revelation of Himself than Job had, and yet many still do not believe. We have His Word, which will not fail, and will never be wrong, and it leads to repentance of our sins and faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary for forgiveness and Salvation. Jesus is our Lord, our Creator, Redeemer, and King.

      GOD's mercy, even in the testing of Job, means we are not consumed. His grace offers unto us eternal life in Him. But, when His cup of wrath is full, there is coming a judgment and His justice will be rendered perfectly unto all who have rejected Him. Those who have never repented of their sins and acknowledged His Holiness and their need of Him will face Jesus Christ as their Judge. Those who have never received Jesus Christ and surrendered to Him on His terms will bow to GOD in His righteous anger and justice. Those who have never been forgiven and redeemed, not as a license to sin all we want, but as liberty to live in and through Him who is our life, will suffer the second death. GOD is long-suffering, but He is also righteous and Holy, and must punish sin by death. We can never pay for our own, but Christ has already paid the penalty for sin, the just for the unjust, that we might be made the righteousness of GOD in Him.

     The message of Hope we have is the only message which will save. Only Christ can redeem, only Jesus can deliver the lost, only GOD can forgive all sin and make us new creatures in Him, to have His abundant and everlasting life. The love of GOD constrains us to go and tell all who will hear of His love for all, commended to us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. We live in Him, to serve Him, and meet the needs of 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 His workmanship, loving one another in fellowship as we disciple all believers in His Word, and do His will and accomplish His work in this broken and sinful world. We go with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit, where He sends us to proclaim to this lost and dying world the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that He is the Christ, the Son 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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How long will it be ere ye make an end of words?

4/22/2016

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Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine. The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle shall be put out with him. The steps of his strength shall be straitened, and his own counsel shall cast him down. For he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he walketh upon a snare. (Job 18:5-8)
      Once again Bildad chimes in, and gives an incorrect application and horribly comfortless opinion of GOD'S judgment upon the wicked and concluding that Job must be wicked. He has no regard for GOD'S sovereignty or our free will, or the fact that often the wicked seem to prosper in this life, though that prosperity is temporary, and certainly does not extend into the next. Bildad, because he had no knowledge of the test and trial Job was undergoing, totally disregarded GOD's justice and timing, which is not ours, since His ways are above our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts. GOD is Holy and Just, and will punish those who disobey Him, and often times will do so in while they are on the earth. He also chastises His own, to bring them closer or back to a right relationship with Him.

       Bildad was partially right in that, some who are wicked are judged and punished in this life. Often emotionally and psychologically, if their consciences aren't seared and scarred, they fear that judgment and punishment, not usually from GOD, but from the authorities, or from others more wicked than they are. It will come, but it may not happen while they are living. When they die in their trespasses and sins, having rejected their Creator who would have redeemed them from their sins if they had repented and believed in Jesus Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, they will face Him as their Judge and receive the recompense of their reward for their sins and iniquity. There will be no mercy or grace then, for the time of GOD's wrath will be at hand.

      We who are born again from above, having been made new creatures in Christ by His blood and power, are no longer to live in our self-righteousness, but live the life in Him which He equips and empowers us to live. We are to glorify Him in all we say and do, and lift Him up before others that they might see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. We are not to seek our own way, or follow man's vision and the world's methods, but being transformed by the renewing of our mind through the Spirit and the Word of GOD, fully surrendered to Him who alone is worthy of our obedience and worship.

       We are called to serve Him in ministry, with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, as we minister to those around us who are hurting and serve those who are in need. We are commanded to love one another as He loved us and gave Himself for us, and we are to disciple one another in His Word, speaking the Truth in love, that we may grow up into Him in all things, which is the Head, even Christ. We are commissioned as witnesses unto Him who is our life to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Word of GOD to this lost and dying world, and as we go in the power of the Holy Spirit proclaiming the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that He is the Christ, the Son 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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Mine eye poureth out tears unto GOD

4/20/2016

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Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest? I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul's stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you. But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief. Though I speak, my grief is not asswaged: and though I forbear, what am I eased? (Job 16:3-6)
      Because of his friends counsel, with its many theological and personal errors and misapplications, Job was not comforted in his suffering at all. As much as they thought they were helping, Job was getting tired of hearing their admonishments and theories. He pointed out that he could be like them and pile on with the tongue lashings, but he knew it was better to be kind and truly comforting with our words. He echoed the psalmist who wanted his words and the meditations of his heart which led to those words to be pleasing to GOD. His friends words were wounding him, making his grief worse, and had even added to his tears.

      Our speech ought to be seasoned with salt and full of truth, spoken in love. There may be times for plain and direct words which rebuke, reprove, or correct, but always in love and charity. When we speak the Oracles of GOD it ought to be rightly divided and fitly spoken that we may glorify GOD and edify the hearer. The example of Job's friends shows us that even when we are theologically correct, we can fail to comfort or instruct properly because our knowledge is incomplete, or our use of the Scripture is misapplied. Neither is pleasing to our LORD who has taught us to study His Word, not for knowledge sake, which puffs up, but that we might lovingly edify and encourage those around us even in correction, as we all grow up in Christ.

      Those who have never received Christ by faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary by faith and repentance cannot receive the things of the Spirit of GOD which are spiritually discerned. GOD has called us, as ambassadors of Christ, to take the Word of reconciliation and righteousness and with the providence of GOD minister to those around us who are hurting and in need. Our Lord has commanded us to love one another as He first loved us and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD that we may all be conformed to the image of His dear Son. We are commissioned to His service and as His witnesses to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to this lost and dying world that they might be saved, and as we go in the power of the Holy Spirit proclaim the Good News of forgiveness of sin through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son that 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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Our days upon earth are a shadow

4/8/2016

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Doth GOD pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice? If thy children have sinned against Him, and He have cast them away for their transgression; If thou wouldest seek unto GOD betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty; If thou wert pure and upright; surely now He would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous. Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase. (Job 8:3-7)
      Now Bildad tries to chastise Job and his words ring hollow and lifeless. Too many if's to be of any help. Much of what Bildad had to say was partially correct in its initial theory, but the reality is that Bildad had no idea about GOD or His character. He even sounds like some of the prosperity preachers who tell you every thing will be fine if you just believe. GOD is Sovereign, and His justice is perfect, but that is now what had happened in Job's case. GOD is not our butler or genie to fix our mess, or bless our works and efforts, He is Lord and we are His servants to do His will and accomplish His work in this sinful world that all who will believe may repent and place their trust in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary for Salvation.

       Job was not under condemnation as Bildad proposed, but under testing. Without that revelation, Bildad missed not only the Sovereignty of GOD, but also His perfect will to shew Himself strong on the behalf of those whose heart is perfect toward Him. Though our sins and transgressions are worthy of death, for those whose sins are paid for, either by the sacrifices of faith in Job's case, or by the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ in our place, GOD has imputed His righteousness to us through repentance and our faith in Him. That is not a license to sin, but understanding that when we sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. When something happens, especially terrible events we don't understand, like Job we can ask why?, but GOD is under no obligation to give us the answers we seek outside of what He has already revealed through His Spirit and His Word. That is His vision of Him we are to search, study, meditate upon, and share with others. Without His Word we perish, but His Word can and will make us happy and blessed.

      GOD has His church on mission for Him, with His vision for His ambassadors, from His Word, to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need. GOD has His children, as members one of another, speaking the Truth in love, and with His vision for us to grow in Him and be conformed to the image of His dear Son, edifying and equipping all members to the work of the ministry. GOD has His soldiers, with His vision for the lost to be saved through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go in the power of the Holy Spirit, and as we go to where He sends us proclaiming the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that He is the Christ 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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Is there not an appointed time to man upon earth

4/7/2016

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O remember that my life is wind: mine eye shall no more see good. The eye of him that hath seen me shall see me no more: thine eyes are upon me, and I am not. As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away: so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more. He shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him any more. Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. (Job 7:7-11)
      Still complaining about his misery and his friends words which were not comforting but accusatory, Job laments that death is preferred because then his misery would be over. Even though his life is relatively short, his misery is almost overwhelming and he would prefer that GOD would go ahead and take him out of this sinful and broken world. He knew that he could not, for God is life and the giver of life, but he had resigned himself to leaving this earth and being no more a part of its misery and calamity.

     Sometimes we can get focused on the temporary things of this life, and our hurts and pains, even illness, that we forget what is more important, the eternal matters. GOD cares for us, and wants us to bring our petitions to Him, but cares infinitely more about the lost people we know, and our ministry to those that are lost and dying, as members of His Church and for His glory, than our current struggles in this life we live in Him. The things of this world will pass away, and we do all fade as a leaf, and so we ought to focus on the eternal first and foremost, and give all our cares and struggles to Him who already knows what we have need of.

      GOD calls His people to ministry, to serve Him and those around us who are hurting and in need, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. GOD commands His children to love one another and disciple one another in His Word that we may grow thereby. GOD has commissioned His servants to go with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and as we go in the power of the Spirit who guides and empowers us, we proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary that those who repent and believe that He is the Christ 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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Teach me and I will hold my tongue

4/6/2016

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Oh that I might have my request; and that GOD would grant me the thing that I long for! Even that it would please GOD to destroy me; that He would let loose His hand, and cut me off! Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would harden myself in sorrow: let Him not spare; for I have not concealed the Words of the Holy One. What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life? Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass? Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me? To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty. (Job 6:8-14)
       Job in his affliction laments and cries out to GOD for deliverance and mercy, though his request was for death not healing because his grief was so great. He also spoke out against his friends words without comfort that while partially true under the right circumstances weren't really helpful to Job in his situation. Job sought comfort in the Words of the Holy One, and found that the Lord was His strength, not himself or his friends. He has some learning to do, but recognized that he could not come to grips with his situation within himself, but had to seek it in another more wise and helpful. His friends didn't measure up, for they too were men, so Job turned to GOD, the only one who could answer him.

      In our grief and sorrow when calamity comes, we often forget the lessons of Job and turn to other sources for wisdom and understanding. But only GOD and His Word is our true Authority for He is Truth, His Word is Truth, and He will guide us into all Truth if we diligently seek Him. He tells us to search the Scriptures for they speak of Him, He tells us to study and learn of Him, He tells us that He may be found, and we can find rest for our souls in Him. Our circumstances may be temporary or permanent (in this life), but GOD is eternal, and our reaction and response to our circumstances can and should be based in His Truth and our faith in Him and His Word. We have trusted Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary for Salvation and we can trust Him with the rest of the details of the life we now live in and through Him.

       The people of GOD can minister to others because of what GOD has done for them. We have the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, and the Spirit of GOD to encourage and equip us to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need. The children of GOD, as members one of another, are to bear one anothers burdens and so fulfil the Law of Christ as we love one another and disciple one another in the Word of GOD. The church of GOD, the body of Christ, is to take His Word to this lost and dying world, and as we go with the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit that is within us, we proclaim His Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that all those who repent and believe that Jesus is the Christ 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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Despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty

4/5/2016

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Although affliction cometh not forth of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground; Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward. I would seek unto GOD, and unto GOD would I commit my cause: Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number: Who giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields: To set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety. (Job 5:6-11)
      Eliphaz was so sincere in his counsel, but sincerely wrong because he didn't know all the details. He assumed facts not in evidence, and ignored details in which he had no knowledge, without ever admitting that there might be other reasons for the affliction and calamity which had come upon Job. His testimony of GOD was right in what he said, for GOD does chasten His own. But it did not completely apply to Job, because GOD was testing Job and had allowed the actions of the adversary against Job, which Eliphaz ignored or dismissed out of ignorance of GOD. His ways are above our ways, and His thoughts are above our thoughts. He is too wonderful for us and past finding out, except that He has revealed Himself to us through His Word, and put on flesh that we might know Him and know the Father.

     When we go through trials and tribulations, many times we want to blame GOD, or ignore the fact that this world is broken and dying.  In our lament, we often don't stop to consider the testing He may be doing to conform His own into the image of His Son. We also don't take into account that He doesn't always direct that which comes our way, but nothing happens which He doesn't allow, since He is Sovereign, and therefore we must seek His counsel. We should go to His Word to see what He has already said. We must let the Spirit of Comfort speak that we might have peace in the midst of the storm. The secret things belong to GOD, but that which He has revealed is for us that we may know Him and trust Him in faith and obedience.

       We may not know everything on this side of the grass, but what we do know from His Word, we who are born again through repentance of our sin and by faith in Him and His finished work on the Cross of Calvary are to take to this lost and dying world. His people, the ambassadors of the Kingdom, are to take the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, and minister to those around us who are hurting and in need. His children, members one of another, are to love one another as He first loved us and disciple one another in His Word that we may grow thereby in grace and in the knowledge of Him who is our Lord. His Church, the body of Christ, and lively stones placed in His building, are to take the Word of GOD and the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit to this lost and dying world, and as we go where He sends us, proclaim  the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son that those who believe that He is the Christ 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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By the blast of GOD they perish

4/4/2016

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Shall mortal man be more just than GOD? shall a man be more pure than his Maker? Behold, He put no trust in His servants; and His angels He charged with folly: How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth? They are destroyed from morning to evening: they perish for ever without any regarding it. Doth not their excellency which is in them go away? they die, even without wisdom. (Job 4:17-21)
     All of Eliphaz's words to Job would be true, if GOD'S mercies were not renewed every morning, and our life were not hid in Christ who is our life and our righteousness. We cannot be more just or righteousness than GOD, for we have no righteousness on our own apart from Him who put to death the flesh that we might have His great Salvation through repentance and faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. He alone is our strength, and the only way to be reconciled with the Father who is over all. It is foolish to live, or think, or act, otherwise.

      Without Christ and the eternal and abundant life He has already purchased for us, we would remain in our sins, and under the judgment of GOD, just as others who have no hope. We are but clay, made in the image of GOD but flawed by sin, and in rebellion against our Creator, who has already judged all to be guilty of sin against Him who is Holy and just. Without repentance of our sins and saving faith in Him who took our place and paid our sin debt, we would remain under His judgment and perish without the Wisdom which He gives and the mercy and grace He has freely offered to all who will come to Him on His terms. He is the Truth, the Word made flesh, He is the way, through the empty cross and empty tomb, He is the life, our Creator, Redeemer, and King.

     GOD has called His church to speak the Truth in love and the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, not as Eliphaz whose words were partially correct but not comforting. We are to take the whole counsel of GOD, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that those in need might know the Oracles of GOD. Our Lord has called His people to serve Him, as we minister to those around us who are hurting and in need, His ambassadors and servants of the King. He has commanded His children to love one another as members of His body and disciple one another in the Word of GOD that we may grow thereby into the full measure of Him who is our life. GOD has commissioned His servants to go with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and as we go, in the power of the Holy Spirit who guides and directs us, proclaiming the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in the Son that those that believe that He is the Christ 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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