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Art Thou the King of the Jews?

6/20/2016

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And it was the third hour, and they crucified Him. And the superscription of His accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS. And with Him they crucify two thieves; the one on His right hand, and the other on His left. And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And He was numbered with the transgressors.
And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. And when the centurion, which stood over against Him, saw that He so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of GOD. (Mar 15:25-28, 37-39)
      Jesus went willingly and humbly in our place to pay our sin debt and satisfied the Father’s wrath. Our sin was, and is, worthy of death, and only a perfect and spotless sacrifice of blood would be accepted. The sacrifice of animals had covered sin up to this point, and now GOD Himself, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, who had become a man and lived a sinless life, the Lamb of GOD, offered Himself and took on all the sin of the world. He took all the sin of the world upon Himself, your sin, my sin, all sin upon Him who had never sinned that we who were dead in our trespasses and sins might receive the righteousness of GOD in Him.

     When we acknowledge our sin, repent, and forsake our sin while trusting GOD, placing our faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary we are born again and made new creatures in Christ. We are free from sin and its wages, not to sin all we want or do as we will, but to do His will and liberty to live the life we are meant to live in Him. We are here to accomplish His work in this broken and sinful world, as His ambassadors and servants of the most High GOD. GOD has made a way to come to Him and removed the separation between GOD and man. We can come boldly unto Him who is our life, our Creator, Redeemer, and King.

     Our Lord, who gave Himself for His Church, has called His people to serve Him, to submit to His Word, and to share His message of hope with all this world. We are to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, and with the providence of GOD. Our GOD and Saviour has commanded us to love one another even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another that all may be equipped to the work of the ministry and edified in the body of Christ. Our Master has commissioned us to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to this lost and dying world that they might hear the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son that all 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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Could you not, keep watch with Me, but one hour?

6/17/2016

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And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. And He went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. And He said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto Thee; take away this cup from Me: nevertheless not what I will, but what Thou wilt. And He cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. And again He went away, and prayed, and spake the same words. (Mar 14:34-39)
      Jesus was approaching His final hours on this earth before the Cross and His heart was heavy with the burden of sin that would be thrust upon Him for our sake and in our place. All the while He humbled Himself and did His Father's will that the purposes of GOD to redeem all who would repent of their sin and receive Him by faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary would be accomplished. Even with the burden of death and sin that would be placed upon Him, who knew no sin but became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of GOD in Him, He always did the will of the Father and all that His Father gave Him to do.

     His disciples, being up late and into the early morning hours of that fateful day, were weary and fell asleep. Not realizing the full impact of what was to come, despite His teachings about being turned over to the authorities and offered for sin and a ransom for many, they did not watch and pray as He desired. How often we let the cares of this world and our physical limits interfere with what GOD would have us to do. He tells we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, and that is not talking about doing our will, or fulfilling our desires and lusts, or meeting our agenda or for our glory, but accomplishing His Will and all that He calls us to do in service, in discipleship, and in evangelism, that He might be glorified in us. He is our life, our strength, and our protection, against the attacks of this world, the weakness of the flesh, and the temptations and sin which would steal our joy, kill our relationships, and destroy our testimony and ministry, as we work for Him and do all that He calls us to do.

      Our Lord has sent us as His servants and ambassadors of His Kingdom into this world, not to be conformed by it and its ways, but with the mind and heart of Christ, to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need, with the Word of righteousness and reconciliation, rightly divided and fitly spoken, as GOD provides, that others might see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. GOD has commanded us to love one another in fellowship, as members one of another, and to disciple one another in His Word until we all grow up into the full measure of Him who loved us and gave Himself for us. We have been commissioned into the army of the Lord to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit that is within us, and as we go to this lost and dying world, 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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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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I must be about My Father's business

6/2/2016

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There came then His brethren and His mother, and, standing without, sent unto Him, calling him. And the multitude sat about Him, and they said unto Him, Behold, Thy mother and Thy brethren without seek for Thee. And He answered them, saying, Who is My mother, or My brethren? And He looked round about on them which sat about Him, and said, Behold My mother and My brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of GOD, the same is My brother, and My sister, and mother. (Mar 3:31-35)
     Jesus was not being unkind when He refused to give preferential treatment to those who were related to Him after the flesh, but demonstrated that He had a higher purpose and a calling to serve all who believe. Those who are related to Him because they are born again into His family by repentance and faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary are eternally His and servants of the most High GOD. Earthly and temporal relations will end on this life, but that which is eternal will last forever. Those of us who are in Christ by faith have been received into His Church and are His brethren and members one of another that we might serve Him until He calls us Home.

    While He walked this earth He never sinned, but His plans and purposes always remained in obedience to His Heavenly Father. He always did the will of His Father and was always about His Father's business. That should be our goal, for those of us who are secure in His Salvation because of our trust in Him, we ought to seek His will and accomplish His work in this world, for we are His workmanship and the greater works which we do are the works which He has before ordained that we should walk in them by faith. We don't earn or keep that which GOD has graciously given to us but glorify our GOD as He works through and in us that which He has purposed for us to do, when we are obedient to His call and submit to His service.

      For we who are His people are called to serve, we are His ambassadors and are to minister to those around us with the Word of righteousness and reconciliation, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may know Him as they see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Those of us in His family are commanded to love, as members one of another, and to disciple one another in His Word that we may grow up into the full measure of Him with whom we have to do. We who are His children and soldiers of the Cross 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 that is within us, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father who loves us 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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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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