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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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Take up the cross and follow Me

6/13/2016

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And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. But from the beginning of the creation GOD made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore GOD hath joined together, let not man put asunder. (Mar 10:5-9)
     Though the message is not popular or politically correct, it is biblical that there are only two genders, and we are genetically either male or female, and one each of each gender are to come together in marriage and stay together as GOD designed and created us to do. We are all made in His image and He loves us enough that He sent His only begotten Son to die in our place and for our sin. Though our rebellion against Him has led to sin and death, He has not forsaken His creation, nor does He take any pleasure in the death of the wicked. He is not willing that any should perish and leave this world for an eternity without Him and it grieves His heart that many will chose to live this life without repenting of their sins and trusting in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary and receiving by faith the new life in Christ He has already purchased in His own body on that tree.

      We are supposed to live holy lives in Christ that are different from the world, and when we do, the world will hate us for it. When we proclaim the Truth from the Holy Scriptures of Creation, GOD'S design for marriage, gender, or any other precept, those who are dead in their trespasses and sins and without GOD in their hearts, rail against us and persecute us, because they can't reach a GOD that deep down they know exists and are without excuse. When we shine as lights in the darkness and proclaim the Truth of GOD to this sinful and broken world, they resist and reject the Truth because their deeds are evil, just as ours were before we came to understand the One who was calling us to Himself and the reconciliation He offers to all who will repent and surrender to Him on His terms.

      Those who are now in Christ and have His new life and are a new creature living the life He wants us to live in and through Him are His people, and servants of the Most High GOD. We are called to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need with the Word of righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken. We are commanded to love one another as members in particular, and disciple one another in His Word that we may be equipped to the ministry and the work of the saints. We have been commissioned into His service and are to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to this lost and dying world in the power of the Holy Spirit and as we go, proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through reconciliation 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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The LORD turned the captivity of Job

5/27/2016

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And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of Me the thing that is right, as My servant Job hath. Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to My servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and My servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of Me the thing which is right, like My servant Job. (Job 42:7-8)
     As we wrap up our journey through this both difficult and interesting book of Job, possibly one of the oldest books of the Bible, we see the Word of the Lord unto Job and his friends. GOD was not pleased with Job's friends, for their mistaken characterization of Him, of their attacks on Job and his righteousness, and for their lack of comfort in his time of need. None of them were aware of the spiritual battle and trial that Job was undergoing, nor did they understand GOD and His righteousness and mercy.

     That mercy was displayed when GOD told them to repent and offer sacrifices for their sin through Job. Job prayed for his friends and forgave them and they were spared the judgment they deserved. GOD was under no obligation to offer mercy, but because of His love, He forgave them their sin. He also blessed Job with more than he had before the trial began. His property and health was restored and he had additional sons and daughters and lived a long time. He also got his request granted and his words were written in a book, the book of Job.

     In this broken and dying world there are certain truths we can count on: one, GOD is and He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. Two, trials and tribulations come to all, either directed or allowed by our Sovereign King or as a result of living in this post-flood world. In all of these we can trust GOD, whether we are being tested, chastised, or just being rained on. On this side of the grass, we may never know, but we can go to our Father and seek His face and rest in Him who is our rest, our peace, our life, and our eternal security. He offers His great Salvation to all who will acknowledge and repent of their sin against Him and receive Him by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary.

     GOD, who is full of mercy and grace, is also a GOD of judgment and justice. His love is perfect, tempered and balanced by His authority over His creation. He calls His people to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need that they might see Christ in us, the hope of Glory and know of Him through His Word and through His servants. GOD commands His Church to love one another as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in His Word that we might grow thereby. The Lord has commissioned each of us who are His to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to this lost and sinful world, and as we go in the power of the Holy Spirit, 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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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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Hast thou an arm like GOD?

5/24/2016

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Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox. Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly. He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together. His bones are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron. He is the chief of the ways of GOD: He that made him can make His sword to approach unto him. Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play. He lieth under the shady trees, in the covert of the reed, and fens. The shady trees cover him with their shadow; the willows of the brook compass him about. Behold, he drinketh up a river, and hasteth not: he trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth. He taketh it with his eyes: his nose pierceth through snares. (Job 40:15-24)
      A large creature with huge legs, a very large tail, and formidable behavior because of his size, but eats grass. Of all the beasts of the earth that GOD made, the behemoth is the largest, and Job knew what it was, we call it a sauropod today, and had seen it in the foothills and waterways where it could get food and water, and knew to give it plenty of room. GOD reminded Job that He made this beast, and that He was greater than even this great dinosaur. He also reminded Job that He made Job and the rest of mankind, and despite their sin and rebellion, loved them and wished to redeem all who would come to Him in repentance and faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary and obedience to His Word.

      GOD reminded Job that He was GOD and Job was not, and that neither he nor his friends really understood GOD, as Creator, Redeemer and King. His ways are above our ways and His thoughts above ours, and yet He has revealed Himself to us that we might know Him. GOD made all things and as our Creator had the right to require holiness and declare judgment on those who sinned against Him. GOD has given Himself for our sins, and the promised Redeemer has the right to require repentance and faith on His terms. GOD is King and rules today in the hearts of those who are His and He has the right to require our obedience and service unto Him. He is Lord over all creation now and will one day rule on this earth and over the new creation that has been redeemed in the final consummation of all things.

     Until He calls us Home, GOD calls us to serve Him in righteousness as His ambassadors, with the Word of righteousness and reconciliation, rightly divided and fitly spoken, serving and ministering to those around us who are hurting and in need. While we are here, our Lord calls us to love one another, as His family and the body of Christ, and to disciple one another in His Word that we may grow thereby. Until He is done with us, we are commissioned as soldiers in His servants, the saints of GOD, to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to this lost and dying world, and as we go, in the power of the Holy Spirit, we 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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Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?

5/20/2016

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Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;
Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion? Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons? Knowest thou the ordinances of Heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth? (Job 38:4-6, 31-33)
     The Lord speaks to Job and his counselors. He never answers them directly, but asks rhetorical questions which declare that the Lord, He is GOD and there is no other. The Lord's ways are righteous, they are above our ways, His thoughts are above our thoughts. His Truth is everlasting, His mercy is renewed every morning, and His judgements are true and righteous altogether. He alone is creator of all things and our maker, redeemer, and King. He made all things, from the smallest microbe to the largest galaxy. He sustains all things, holding them in His hand, and directs their ways, providing for all. He has established the foundation, and yet He has not just set the world on a shelf and forgotten His creation, for He is a personal and involved GOD who knows each and every one of us. Even though we rejected Him and rebelled against His Authority, He loves us and has not abandoned us to our fate, but gave His only begotten Son that we might have eternal life and have it more abundantly.

     Job and his friends had no idea of the fulness and majesty of GOD Almighty. Not only did they not know of the events in the spiritual realm that led to Job's testing, they really didn't understand the breadth, and depth, and length, and height of GOD and His love for all of His creation, and especially for those who have trusted Him for Salvation through repentance of their sin and faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. Though Job never really gets an answer for his questions, GOD simply asks Him pointed questions to remind Job that He is GOD, and we are not, and that GOD cares intimately for His creation and for its people. Though He tests us and chastises those of us who are His, to cause us to become more like Him, He is perfect and righteous, and we can turn to Him and rest in Him who is our strength.

     We have hope in Christ because of what He has already done for us, and we can trust that every one of His promises will come true. They may not all be for us, as individuals, or for our nation, but GOD will bring us through whatever He leads us to, just as He has revealed in His Word. He calls His people to be faithful, to trust Him, not just for Salvation, but in all things, for He is Lord, and the life we now live in the flesh, we are to live by the faith of the Son of GOD who loved us and gave Himself for us. We are to be His servants, His ambassadors, with the Word of righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, to minister to others who are hurting and in need. We are to be His children, loving one another as we disciple one another in His Word. We are to be His witnesses, taking the Gospel of Jesus Christ to this lost and dying world in the power of the Holy Spirit, and as we go 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 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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Consider the wondrous works of GOD

5/19/2016

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By the breath of GOD frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened. Also by watering He wearieth the thick cloud: He scattereth His bright cloud: And it is turned round about by His counsels: that they may do whatsoever He commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth. He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for His land, or for mercy. (Job 37:10-13)
     As Elihu wraps up his impassioned speech against Job, his friends, and in a mostly right but somewhat misapplied understanding of the righteousness and holiness of our GOD, he extols the power of GOD in Creation. GOD is still in control, and can direct even the very winds and waters of His creation, in judgment and in blessing of His people. The rain that falls on the just and the unjust may just be rain or it can be a powerful storm to get our attention, though He is not in the whirlwind. The calamity or blessing that comes our way may be allowed by GOD, or it may be directed by GOD, but all for our growth and His good, that He might be glorified in all things.

      GOD is good, and all His doings, though they may be past our finding out, are good. Evil events and the results of sinful acts, as well natural calamities may come our way, either because GOD simply lets them, and lets the weather be the weather we experience, and have since the flood of Noah, or because GOD directs it and sends the storm to chastise and judge. He is GOD, and has the right and power to correct and chastise those that are His because of their repentance of their sin and their faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. He also has the right to judge and reject those who do not repent and receive Him as the Creator of all things. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords and He will return to consummate all things and put all His enemies under His feet, including death.

      All who do not acknowledge their sin and repent and turn to GOD for forgiveness and receive Him by faith in Him and His Word will be rejected, not because GOD wants to cast them out, but because they rejected Him and His ways. GOD demands that His people live in holiness and righteousness the lives we were meant to live in and through Him. He calls His people to service as His ambassadors that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need. GOD calls His children to love one another and disciple one another in His Word. GOD has commissioned His witnesses to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit, where He sends us, that the saints of GOD may proclaim, as we go, 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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GOD hath taken away my judgment

5/17/2016

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But none saith, Where is GOD my Maker, who giveth songs in the night; who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven? There they cry, but none giveth answer, because of the pride of evil men. Surely GOD will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it. Although thou sayest thou shalt not see Him, yet judgment is before Him; therefore trust thou in Him. (Job 35:10-14)
     Elihu continues his diatribe against Job and his counselors by trying to say that Job is acting just like the wicked around him who act like there is no GOD when deep down they know there is. Like many who try to deny GOD they are angry with GOD and don't want to be accountable to Him. Elihu declares that their pride is the reason for their sin, and even Job and his friends have this problem, for we all do. But Job was righteous, not in his own works or by any thing he had done, but by his faith in the Almighty GOD who had redeemed him.

     All of the characters in the little drama have misplaced notions about GOD and His holiness and righteousness, and none of them knew of the spiritual scenes played out at the beginning. The reality all will learn, and we can learn from Job, is that GOD is, that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him, and that Jesus Christ has revealed Himself in Creation, in His Word, and then when He humbled Himself and put on flesh and paid for our sins, that we might be made the righteousness of GOD in Him by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary.

     You can either bow before GOD in surrender to Him on His terms now, acknowledging and repenting of your sin, and receiving His forgiveness by faith, or you can spend all eternity experiencing the eternal punishment for your sins which you have rightly earned. The wages of sin is death, not just physical death, for we all may experience that, but separation from GOD who is life. The gift of GOD is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord, paid for through His blood and sacrifice in our place, and for our sins, that we might have an abundant life in Him, not to sin all we want, but to live the life we were meant to live in, through, and for Him who is our life.

      That is the message of hope and judgment that GOD's church is to take to this lost and dying world. We are to be His ambassadors, with the Word of righteousness and reconciliation, rightly divided and fitly spoken, ministering as His servants to those around us who hurting and in need. We are to be His disciples, loving one another with an unfeigned love as we disciple one another in His Word that we may  grow thereby. We are to be His witnesses, taking the Gospel of Jesus Christ to this broken and sinful 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 all 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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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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