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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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Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom

5/6/2016

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But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding? Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living. The depth saith, It is not in me: and the sea saith, It is not with me. It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof.
GOD understandeth the way thereof, and He knoweth the place thereof. For He looketh to the ends of the earth, and seeth under the whole heaven; (Job 28:12-15, 23-24)
     Job, in a series of questions which declare the power of GOD over His creation, asks a pointed question about true wisdom. Only in understanding His judgments, character, and reverencing our Holy and Righteous GOD through His Word can we know, not the wisdom of this world which is of the flesh, but the true wisdom of GOD which is spiritual. It cannot be bought but must be learned and received from GOD. It is not in this world but mined in the pages of His revelation of Himself, the Holy Scriptures. The Spirit of GOD giveth understanding and teaches us all things that we may know Him and trust Him.

       The natural man, one who has never repented of their sins and receive Jesus Christ by faith in Him alone and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary can never understand or receive the spiritual things of GOD, unless the Spirit gives him understanding that he might repent and believe. GOD desires all to come to Him and be born again, and then to live in Him the brand new life that man was meant to live. We are not to live as a friend of this world, nor be conformed to it, but transformed by His Word and His Spirit through the renewing of our minds into the new man He has made us to be when He made us a new creature in Christ.

       Living for Jesus this new life He has given His people is not a license to sIn, nor to do our will or seek our ways, but to live in Him and that His will may be done as we accomplish His work in this world. We are His workmanship, and are called to service and missions, to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need, with the provision of GOD and the Word of righteousness, reconciliation, and Truth, rightly divided and fitly spoken, as GOD leads us. We are His family, the body of Christ, and are commanded to love one another as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in His Word that we may all grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are His people, saints and soldiers in the army of GOD, and have been commissioned to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to this lost and dying world in the power of the Holy Spirit, that as we go where He sends us, we may proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus Christ 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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O Lord how excellent is Thy Name in all the earth

5/3/2016

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Dominion and fear are with Him, He maketh peace in His high places. Is there any number of His armies? and upon whom doth not His light arise? How then can man be justified with GOD? or how can He be clean that is born of a woman? Behold even to the moon, and it shineth not; yea, the stars are not pure in His sight. How much less man, that is a worm? and the son of man, which is a worm? (Job 25:2-6)
      Bildad's response is partially correct, without the mercy and grace of our GOD, we cannot be saved or made righteous. He is Holy and just, and sinful man cannot exist with GOD, nor can we save ourselves. It is not in our power or by any means within ourselves to pay for our sin against GOD. But with GOD all things are possible, and He Himself provided for our Salvation. We are justified through repentance of our sin and our faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary.

     When we turn from our sin and acknowledge what it cost us and Him who is Holy, and receive His redemption by faith alone, we are born again and made righteous in His sight. We are redeemed, not to continue in sin or to sin all we want, but to live in Christ the life and liberty that man was meant to live. We don't invite Him into our life, but receive a brand new life and are made a new creature in Christ, to live in, through, and for Him who is our life.

      GOD loves us and is not willing that any should perish. He offers redemption through His Son to all who will believe and receive it by faith in Him and trusting in His Word. Man apart from GOD is nothing but in Christ we can and do accomplish His will and do His work as we who are His are His workmanship, His servants, and His people.

     GOD calls His servants to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need. As ambassadors of the King we are to take the Word of righteousness and reconciliation, rightly divided and fitly spoken to this lost and dying world that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. GOD commands His children to love one another as He loved us. As the people of GOD we are to fellowship with one another and disciple one another in His Word for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. GOD has commissioned His people to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit, to this broken and sinful world. As we go where He sends us, 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 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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Blessed be the Name of the LORD

3/30/2016

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And the LORD said unto satan, Hast thou considered My servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth GOD, and escheweth evil? Then satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear GOD for nought? Hast not Thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth Thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse Thee to thy face. And the LORD said unto satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So satan went forth from the presence of the LORD. (Job 1:8-12)
      Having most of our journey through the New Testament, we now turn our attention to one of the oldest books in the Bible. The events of Job are contemporary, and possibly earlier than Abraham. The understanding and worship of GOD is very patriarchal, just as it was for Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, even their children up to the giving of the Law at Mt. Sinai with Moses. Much of what is relayed in this account is strange to us, but there is a lot of meaning, of hope, faith, and the power and authority of our GOD that we can study, and by faith, hear from GOD and understand.

     This first look gives us an odd scene where the accuser of the brethren is allowed to come into GOD'S presence and during the discussion, he accuses Job of loving GOD for His blessings and all that GOD had given Him. GOD allows satan to take Job's possessions and family, but at this stage, he is not allowed to hurt Job, his health, or his life. GOD is still in control, and our adversary is on a leash when it comes to GOD'S people. As this account plays out, we shall explore Job's condition and lament, his friends and their not so helpful advice, and GOD'S declaration and pronouncements at the end.

      For GOD'S people, those who are secure in the Lord through repentance and faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, this account reveals that GOD may test us and our faith in Him, He may direct or allow events to come our way to conform us to the image of His dear Son, and when we are astray, He certainly will direct events to chastise His people that we turn to Him, in trust, repentance, and complete surrender to Him who is our Lord, our Creator, Redeemer, and King. GOD'S purpose for His children while we are here on this earth is to become more like Him as we do His will and accomplish His work, in but not of this broken and sinful world, as lights in the darkness until He is done with us and brings us to Himself.

      Until that day, whether we go Home to be with the Lord, or the Lord returns for His own, the Church of GOD are to be about our Father's business, as ambassadors for the King, as members one of another, and as His witnesses testifying of our GOD. We are to take the Word of righteousness and reconciliation with us wherever He sends us to meet the needs of those around us who are hurting and in need as GOD guides and provides for His people, that others might see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. We are to love one another as Christ has loved us and disciple one another that we might grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord through His Word. We are to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit to this lost and dying world, and as we go, proclaiming the Good News of forgiveness of sin through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who hear and 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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Be followers of that which is good

3/17/2016

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Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. (1Pe 3:8-12)
     For those who are truly in Christ, He calls us to holiness and righteousness, not in our own strength, but in Him and through Him. His Spirit within us guides us into all Truth, and prompts in the way we should go to do His will and accomplish His work in this broken and dying world. As we sojourn here, as soldiers and ambassadors in a foreign country, looking for that city whose builder and maker is GOD, we must do so in meekness, a quiet strength which rests in Him who is our rest, and fear, the fear of the Lord which is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge. We are to be like Him in all respects, living His life by faith and obedience to His Word that we may glorify our GOD in all things, and others may see Jesus in us, the hope of Glory.

      When trouble comes, and it will, whether from the natural calamities of this world, or from those who oppose GOD and GOD'S people, we are not to strive against the foolish rants and childish taunts of those who do not know GOD, those who have a zeal of God but not according to knowledge, or those who follow some other god and think they are doing right when they are in darkness and dead in their trespasses and sins. We must remember, and prayerfully seek to win them to Christ by our love both in word as we give an answer to every man that asketh us a reason of the hope that is within us, and in His works of righteousness which He has ordained that we should walk in them; that they may repent and receive His great Salvation by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary.

     GOD'S people are to love Him completely, with all of our being, in worship and fellowship, as we love others as ourselves, ministering to those around us who are hurting and in need. The Church of GOD is called and commanded to make disciples, loving one another as we encourage and equip the saints in the work of the ministry and edify the body of Christ. Those who have received Him by grace through faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and been born again are to go in the power of the Holy Spirit and as we go, take the Good News of forgiveness and reconciliation with the Father to all who will hear that they might believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of GOD and in believing have life in His Name.

    For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to trust 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 be perfect and entire

3/2/2016

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If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of GOD, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. (Jas 1:5-8)
    We now move into a journey through the book of James, written by the brother of our Lord, Jesus Christ. James was not a believer in Christ during His earthly ministry, but as we see in Acts and then through this book, He was a leader in the early church.

     We can either get the wisdom of this world, which is transitory, built on shifting sands, and often mixed with half-truths and outright lies, or we can get the wisdom which is from above: pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. The wisdom that GOD gives begins with the fear of the Lord, then understanding comes through His Spirit and His Word, and finally as we see this world through our experience of Him and the Truth He imparts. We can trust He will guide us into all Truth and the inspiration of the Almighty will give us understanding.

      He gives wisdom, through His Spirit and His Word to all who seek it, to all who ask in faith, believing they will receive, and to all who trust Him and His wisdom to understand what we see and experience around us. He does not chastise His children for asking, just for doubting Him and His Word. He does not upbraid His children for honest questions and the desire to understand, just for disobedience to what He has told us to do with what He say. We are to grow up into His image and into the full measure of Him with whom we have to do.

     His church is to take the wisdom of GOD, the Word of reconciliation, as His ambassadors in ministry, missions, and discipleship as we evangelize this lost and dying world. We minister to those around us who are hurting and in need, that they might be comforted and for those who don't know Him thy might come to know Jesus Christ through us and His Word. We love one another in fellowship and worship of our King as we disciple one another in His Word and grow together, equipped and encouraged to the work He has for us to do. We witness of Him and His wondrous works as we go with the Gospel of Jesus Christ from His Word in the power and at the direction of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance of our sin, and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, that those who repent and believe might have life in His Name.

    For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to trust 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 is with thee

1/8/2016

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And the Angel of GOD said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and lay them upon this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so. Then the angel of the LORD put forth the end of the staff that was in His hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes; and there rose up fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes. Then the Angel of the LORD departed out of his sight. And when Gideon perceived that He was an Angel of the LORD, Gideon said, Alas, O Lord GOD! for because I have seen an Angel of the LORD face to face. And the LORD said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die. Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it JEHOVAHSHALOM: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites. (Jdg 6:20-24)
     Our Lord, in one of His pre-incarnate appearances, comes to Gideon with the call to service and victory under the mighty hand of GOD. Gideon was rightfully fearful in the presence of GOD Himself, and when He understood, He worshiped with offerings and praise, building an altar commemorating the Prince of Peace who had come to Him. Gideon was rewarded for his faith and because GOD had work for him to do, as judge and deliverer, to lead the people of Israel as GOD once again brought peace into the land and to His people.

     Because He loves this world, GOD calls all to a covenant relationship with Him through repentance and faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. Those of us who have received Him and been born again are at peace with GOD through Jesus Christ, and are called to service and becoming Christ-like as we grow in Him and fellowship with Him. Those who have His great Salvation and love Him because of His forgiveness and reconciliation toward us are not licensed to sin more, but are called to holiness and His righteousness. He is with us and in us, and the new life we live in Him by His grace is His life in us that we live by faith in Him and for His glory.

     GOD, who is our peace and worthy of all worship, has work for us to do. His Church, which we who are His are members in particular, are His servants, His disciples, and His witnesses. We are called, each of us, no matter our condition or place in the body, to serve Him and minister to those around us who are hurting and in need, as He provides and guides us who are obedient to His Word. We are commanded, as members one of another, to disciple one another in His Word and in the love of Christ. We are commissioned to go into this world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit that is within us, and as we go, to testify of His grace, mercy, justice, and judgement, that those who hear and believe the Good News of peace and reconciliation with the Father 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 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 fought for Israel

12/11/2015

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Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon, gathered themselves together, and went up, they and all their hosts, and encamped before Gibeon, and made war against it.
And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee.
And the LORD discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Bethhoron, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah. And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword. Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. (Jos 10:5, 8, 10-13)
     Because of their treaty and oath with Gibeon, Israel is pulled into a calculated attack against Gibeon and her neighbours by the enemies of Israel and Gibeon. GOD tells Joshua not to worry or fear, for He has already won the battle. The Israelites decimate the cities that come against them, and the Lord rains down hailstones which slaughter more than the men had done by the sword. To complete the judgment of GOD, Joshua calls for the Sun to stay up and the moon to keep its place, and the Lord allowed it to happen, giving Israel the time to finish His judgment on those that oppose Him and His people.

    GOD worked on behalf of His people, for His glory and to deliver them from attack and oppression, even though the cause and circumstances were less than His perfect will. He can and often does use our mistakes and errors for His greater good, even while He chastises His own, and He can and does work to accomplish His will and work in us for His good pleasure. He wants what is best for His own, and while He does test us, and allow much in our lives we would not wish for, He also blesses us beyond measure, and will do even more if we trust Him and let Him be Lord and King as He is.

      The Lord Jesus Christ, who came and died for our sins, who rose again for our justification, and who sent the Comforter, His Spirit to dwell within those of us who have trusted Him for His great Salvation through repentance and our faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, continues to work to shew Himself strong in the behalf of those whose heart is perfect toward Him. He has redeemed us from the slavery of sIn, and made us perfect through His righteousness while He sanctifies us through His Word, until He glorifies us and brings us into His presence for all eternity.

      Until that day, He has work for us to do. We are called to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need, with the Word of reconciliation, as His ambassadors. We are commanded to love one another as He loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD, that we may be conformed to the image of His dear Son. We are commissioned 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 where He guides, we share the Good News of forgiveness and eternal 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 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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Because of the Name of the LORD thy GOD

12/10/2015

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And the children of Israel journeyed, and came unto their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjathjearim. And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation had sworn unto them by the LORD GOD of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the princes. But all the princes said unto all the congregation, We have sworn unto them by the LORD GOD of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them. This we will do to them; we will even let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath which we sware unto them. And the princes said unto them, Let them live; but let them be hewers of wood and drawers of water unto all the congregation; as the princes had promised them. (Jos 9:17-21)
     The leadership of Israel, forgetting for a time the counsel of GOD, received the Gibeonites as far away ambassadors instead of their neighbours. They made an oath and a league with them, and had to keep it, lest the Name of GOD be taken in vain. When the ruse was discovered, they put the Gibeonites and the surrounding inhabitants which were involved in the subterfuge to servitude and subjection. These and others which were not outright removed from the land would be trouble for the people of Israel just as GOD had foretold through Moses they would be. They were tricked because they didn't look to GOD and kept their word because of GOD and His wrath and judgment.

     When we look to ourselves and don't take counsel of the Lord, thinking that we can handle what comes our way, trying to live without GOD in practice, we stumble and go astray. GOD says without Him we can do nothing, and in our old life, we are dead in our trespasses and sins; we cannot live our lives after the old way, apart from the Spirit of GOD which dwells within. He is there to guide us into all Truth, He has given us His Word, that we might know Him, His ways, and His thoughts which are above ours, and that our path may be illuminated before us, not the whole journey, but what GOD wants us to see as we walk with Him and in Him.

     Our journey, as strangers in this foreign land, is as servants of the Most High GOD. We are His ambassadors, to represent His Kingdom, and as His body, to minister with the Word of reconciliation to those around us who are hurting and in need. We are His disciples, not above our Master, but loving one another and equipping and encouraging one another in His Word and His power to the work He has us to do in this lost and dying world as we grow into the full measure of Christ. We are His witnesses, to share His Gospel and the Good News with those who are lost as we go, that those who repent of their sins and believe in Him alone and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary for Salvation 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 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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