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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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Straightway He called them and they left and followed Him

5/31/2016

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Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of GOD, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of GOD is at hand: repent ye, and believe the Gospel. Now as He walked by the sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after Me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed Him. (Mar 1:14-18)
      Having finished Job we will not take a journey through the Gospel of Mark, the servant Gospel. Mark will focus on the humble sacrificial service of our Lord. There is no lineage or history, because the history of a servant is not important. Mark starts right of with the ministry of Jesus and the Gospel which was, and still is, the central theme of His service. The redemption of man through the Cross of Calvary was always forefront in the mind of Christ, who willingly and humbly put on flesh, and put to death that flesh that we who believe in Him might live in and through Him.

     Jesus declared the Kingdom was at hand, because the King was there. Even though He cane to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many, He is still the King. He is the King which the Jews rejected for Caesar, and He is the King which others reject for themselves, their own gods, and their own human rulers. But for those who received Him gave He power to become the sons of GOD. Our faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary and our repentance of our sins which we acknowledge are an offense to a Holy GOD has led us to a right relationship with Him through grace. Not by our works but because of His service and His sacrifice in our place.

     We who are His by faith are now fishers of men, ambassadors for the Kingdom, and ministers of reconciliation, equipped with the Word of righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that others may know Him and see Christ in us, the hope of Glory.  We who are born again are now children of GOD, and members one of another, to love in fellowship and service, as we disciple one another in the Word that we may grow in Him who is our Lord. We who have been given His life are now His servants, taking 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 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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How much less shall I answer Him

4/11/2016

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I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with GOD? If he will contend with Him, he cannot answer Him one of a thousand. He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against Him, and hath prospered?
For He is not a man, as I am, that I should answer Him, and we should come together in judgment. Neither is there any Daysman betwixt us, that might lay His hand upon us both. Let Him take His rod away from me, and let not His fear terrify me: (Job 9:2-4, 32-34)
      GOD is so much higher, holier, just, and righteous than man, apart from a saving relationship with Christ could ever be. Job understood much of the separation between our mighty GOD and our inadequacies and failures. Without our advocate with GOD the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, The Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, who became a man that He might bring us to GOD through repentance and reconcile us to the Father by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, we would have to face our Judge in our sins and already guilty.

     Job knew he did not measure up to the Almighty, but also knew his sins were covered and he was righteous. Not self-righteous, but having met GOD'S requirements for sin and righteousness He was pardoned by his faith in GOD. Without Christ we cannot answer GOD, nor could we hope to contend with Him who is all-knowing and all-powerful. His ways and thoughts are so much higher than ours. If He had not revealed Himself to us through His Word we would only know through His creation that He exists, but could not comprehend our Creator, Redeemer, and King. He has revealed His nature and character in His Holy Word that we might know Him and turn to Him in repentance and faith for Salvation and the covenant relationship with Him that He offers to us, having already paid the price for sin we cannot pay.

     The daysman or intermediary between GOD and man has come, when GOD sent His only begotten Son into the world, not to condemn it for it was already condemned, but to deliver all who will receive Him from the sin and into fellowship with Jesus Christ. That is the message of hope GOD has given us, His church, His people, His body, to go and tell to all who will hear and believe, not just agreeing with the facts, but in true repentance and trust in Him and Him alone. GOD has called His people to go, as ambassadors of the Kingdom of GOD which is within us, to go with the Word of reconciliation, rightly divided and fitly spoken, and minister to those around us who are hurting and in need. GOD has commanded His children to love one another and to disciple one another in His Word that we may grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord. GOD has commissioned His church to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to this lost and dying world, that they might know the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son and in believing that He is the Christ, the Messiah, The Daysman, they might have life in His Name.

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

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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Hast thou considered My servant

3/31/2016

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And the LORD said unto satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes. Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse GOD, and die. But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of GOD, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips. (Job 2:6-10)
     After allowing Job to suffer the loss of all his children and his possession, and Job did not sin against GOD, GOD now allows satan to afflict Job in his body, but not to take his life. Job is afflicted from head to foot with boils, and still does not curse GOD and die, as his wife suggested, but maintains his integrity and his faith during this trial. Not only do we see the faith of Job, but we see the foolishness of Job's wife, and that the devil had the ability, but not the permission, to take Job's life. GOD allowed all this to happen but He was, and is, still in control and still the Lord of the Universe.

     Too often, Christians begin to think of ourselves more highly than we ought, and stray from what the Scriptures teach. We have no power apart from Christ, without Him we are nothing and can do nothing. He is our strength, He is our life, He is righteousness. Through His Word, rightly divided, we have wisdom and understanding. Through His Spirit, which indwells us, we have power and discernment. We can endure the trials that come our way by resting in Him and our faith can remain strong in His Word and His redemption and eternal life which He has already purchased in His own body on that tree. Our hope is secure because of our faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. Our life is now by mercy and grace, the grace of GOD extended to those that repent, not as a license to sin, but liberty to worship Him, do His will, and accomplish His work in this broken and sinful world.

     All we do should point others to Him who has delivered us from sin, and can, not because He is our genie or butler, because He loves us, deliver us from our circumstances. He also may choose not to, either because He is testing us, chastising us, or conforming us to the image of His dear Son. He has left us here, to sojourn as strangers and pilgrims in, but not of, this world, to fellowship together, to reach the lost, and to grow up into the full measure of Him.

     His church is called to reach out to those around us who are hurting and in need as ambassadors of Christ with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness. We are commanded to love one another and disciple one another in the Word of GOD. We are commissioned to go with 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 of sin through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith, 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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The Lord is not slack concerning His promise

3/29/2016

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Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is Salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other Scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. (2Pe 3:14-18)
     Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, and waiting for His return, that Blessed Hope, doesn't mean sitting on the pew and wishing He would come back. It means being about our Father's business, of ministry, missions, and discipleship as we evangelize the lost and edify and mature those who are secure in Christ. It means worshiping Him who is worthy in Spirit and in Truth rather than in acts of the flesh, rejoicing in the fellowship we have in and of one another, reaching out to others who are hurting and in need, pointing people to Christ and testifying of our risen living Lord, and encouraging one another in the knowledge of Him who is our Saviour because of His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, our Redeemer because of our repentance of sin and our faith in Him, and our soon coming King, for He is the righteous Judge, the Creator and Lord of the Universe, the Holy One of Israel, and the Head of the Church.

      As we wrap up this series, having covered the general epistles, and most of the New Testament, other than Mark and Luke's Gospels, our final view of Peter's final message gives us encouragement and exhortation to look to eternal things, not temporary things. To be steadfast in our study of the Word of GOD that we may grow and mature in Christ, to be constant in our prayers to hear from GOD, and to consistent in our love and care for one another as we continue this journey, as strangers and pilgrims, foreigners in this world, but fellow saints with all who are in Christ, and all who have gone on before us to be with Jesus. With our feet firmly planted on the foundation of Christ and His Word, and having the mind of Christ, we bear one another's burdens and provoke one another to good works, while reaching out to others that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory, until He is done with us.

     GOD has called, commanded, and commissioned His people to be His ministers, His servants, His ambassadors, and His witnesses. We are to go out into this lost and dying world with the Word of righteousness and reconciliation, equipped and empowered to speak the Truth in love, and with the Word fitly spoken, proclaim His love, mercy, and grace to all those GOD sends our way and in our path. We are to love one another as He loved us, with charity and as members one of another, not just in the four walls of our meetinghouse, but wherever GOD'S people are doing the will of GOD and the work of the Kingdom. We are to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ as we go and proclaim in the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit the Good News of reconciliation with the Father through repentance of sin and faith in Jesus Christ alone, that those who hear might believe and in believing that He is the Christ they might have life in His Name.

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

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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Do not err, my beloved brethren

3/3/2016

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Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of GOD: for GOD cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth He any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. (Jas 1:12-15)
     Though we are tested often, and GOD allows it and even directs our testing, the temptation to sIn does not come from Him, for He is Holy and without sIn. Our pride, or arrogance, wants to blame GOD for our own faults, instead of repenting and surrendering to Him on His terms. He will chastise and correct His own who disobey that we might be made more like Him, but He cannot tempt us to sIn. In the flesh, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, was tempted in all points like we are, yet without sIn, but as GOD He is neither tempted, nor does He tempt any one to sIn.

     The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, lead us to want what we ought not to have, do what we ought not to do, and think that which is in conflict with the Holiness and righteousness of GOD, which we who are in Christ are to have. The death that follows the sins we commit when we respond and give into our lusts and pride: death of relationships, death of our witness, and death of our fellowship with Him, is both figurative, and can lead to a reality of death which cannot be restored apart from GOD who is our life. We cannot lose the great Salvation He has given us, for we who are truly in Christ cannot be lost again, but continuing to sIn demonstrates a life that is not repentant nor living by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary.

    When we rest in Him and endure temptation through His power and Spirit within us, we are blessed, become more like Him, and our testimony, relationships, and fellowship is strengthened. We are empowered and equipped to serve Him as His ambassadors, ministering to those around us who are hurting and in need. We endure what this world offers that is at war with GOD that we might love and serve one another and disciple one another in the Word of GOD, encouraged and edified to endure the temptation that comes against us. We stand strong in His power, armored and protected by our faith and His Word, that we might go with the Gospel of Jesus Christ to this lost and dying world, and as we go, in the power of the Holy Spirit and at His direction, proclaiming His Good News of forgiveness and reconciliation with the Father, not to continue in sIn, but to receive 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 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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Believe in Him to the saving of the soul

2/25/2016

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Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh; And having an High Priest over the House of GOD; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (Heb 10:19-25)
    Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today, and forever, is our great High Priest, ever living to make intercession for those to come to GOD by Him through faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. We can come boldly into the presence of GOD because of His blood shed for us, and He will hear our petitions, strengthen us in our weakness, comfort us in our travails, and encourage us as we go through the trials of this broken and dying world. We can stand strong in Him, be faithful to Him who has and will be faithful to us, and do the work which He has for us to do, until He takes us Home to be with Him.

      We are to encourage and edify one another to be faithful, exhort and equip one another to the work of the ministry, and engage and enable people to enjoy Jesus Christ. We are to fellowship together in love and worship of our Lord who has adopted us into His family. We are to reconcile with one another, forbearing and forgiving, because GOD for Christ's sake hath forgiven us. We are to bear one another's burdens and so fulfil the Law of Christ. We are to love one another as He has loved us and keep the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace until He gathers all those who will come into His waiting arms.

     Until the day He calls us Home, we are to continue serving Him. We are called to be His ambassadors, ministers of reconciliation, and servants of the Most High GOD, ministering to those around us who are hurting and in need, with the Word of reconciliation and the prayers of the saints. We are commanded to love others even as we love ourselves, and to love one another as He has loved us, while we disciple His people in the Word of GOD that all may grow thereby. We are commissioned into the Army of GOD as soldiers for Christ, not with the weapons of the flesh, but with His spiritual armour, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, going forth as witnesses unto Him and in the power of the Holy Spirit proclaiming as we go the Good News of forgiveness and reconciliation with the Father to those who believe and repent that they might have life in His Name.

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

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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The Word of GOD which liveth and abideth for ever

2/17/2016

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Who in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto Him that was able to save Him from death, and was heard in that He feared; Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered; And being made perfect, He became the Author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him; Called of GOD an High Priest after the order of Melchisedec. Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the Oracles of GOD; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the Word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Heb 5:7-14)
     Though He was GOD in every sense, The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, was also man in every sense except sin. He suffered every thing we deserve for our sin and every thing we bear in this life. He was tempted in all points as we are yet without sin, He experienced all of this life in the flesh, even grief and pain, again without sin, that we might be made the righteousness of Him by our repentance and faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. Our GOD has become our Salvation, by His obedience. Our Lord has become our Deliverer by His submission to the will of GOD. He has fully and sufficiently paid our sin debt and purchased our redemption that we might have life and have it more abundantly.

     The Word made flesh, who suffered and died in our place, but rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, has revealed Himself as Creator, Redeemer, and King in the pages of those Scriptures. He has given us His Word, the written revelation of Himself, that we might know Him, and His purposes and plans as Prophet, Priest, and King. He blesses those who hear, communicates with those that read, commands those that study, corrects and controls those that memorize, and comforts those that meditate on His Word as He applies its precepts and judgments to us through our submission to Him on His terms.

     We are to receive by faith the living Word, in Salvation and in sanctification until we are glorified in Him and through Him who first loved us. We are to receive by faith the written Word that we might grow in Him and through His Spirit be conformed to the image of His Son, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth. Once in Him and with the new life He gives through grace by faith, we are to live His life in us, indwelt by the Holy Spirit and discipled in His Word that we might reflect Him, that others may see Him in us, the hope of Glory. We are to grow up in Him, by exercising ourselves in His Word, not just for the sake of just knowledge, which puffs up, but that we might speak the Truth in love, share Him with others, and live Kingdom lives in this world, but not of it, until He is done with us and takes us Home to be with Him.

      He has called His people to serve, His ambassadors with the Word of reconciliation, ministering to those around us who are hurting and in need, taking His Word and ministering His grace into every situation. He has commanded His people to love one another, to fellowship together in worship and service, as we disciple one another in the Word of GOD until we are all grown up into the full measure of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, equipping the saints, encouraging the faithful, and exhorting the labourers, to the work of the ministry and to the edification of the body of Christ. We are commissioned into His army, soldiers of Christ with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and witnesses unto Him who has sent us forth in the power of the Holy Spirit into this lost and dying world with the Good News of forgiveness and reconciliation with the Father that all who hear 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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Handfuls of purpose

2/4/2016

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And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore. The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD GOD of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust. Then she said, Let me find favour in thy sight, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thine handmaidens. And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers: and he reached her parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left. (Rth 2:11-14)
     The account of Ruth continues as we meet Boaz, the son of Salmon and Rahab. GOD's unfolding plan of grace, leading to David and to our Lord, continues in the plans and purposes He has for Ruth. He leads her to the field of a near kinsman, who can lawfully restore her land and property, as well as raise up seed and restore her inheritance. This beginning here in the fields of Bethlehem, shows Ruth the compassion and generosity of Boaz, and Boaz begins to see her determination and character. Boaz blesses her, and takes her under his protection and providence.

      GOD, who became our kinsman that He might redeem us from death and sIn, has taken those us who have received His free gift of Salvation through repentance and our faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, out of darkness and into His marvellous light. No more strangers and enemies of GOD, He has made us one with Him, not in the divine sense, for we do not become gods, but in relationship and fellowship with our Creator, Redeemer, and King. He now protects us in accordance with His will, not necessarily from all that may happen in this world, nor from the consequences of our own will, but we are secure in His hands as He provides all our needs according to the riches of His grace.

     He has saved us to His service, delivered from sin to live unto righteousness. He has called us to minister, as His ambassadors to this broken and dying world, serving and ministering to those around us who are hurting and in need, as He provides. He has commanded us to love one another and to disciple one another in His Word as we fellowship together as members of His body and grow into the full measure of Him. He has commissioned us into His army, soldiers of Christ to witness of Him under His command with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and as we go, in the power of the indwelling Spirit, taking the Good News of repentance and reconciliation with the Father to every one we meet that they might believe 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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The LORD hath brought me home again

2/3/2016

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And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband. Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited His people in giving them bread. Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah. And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me. The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept. (Rth 1:4-9)
     A famine, a family with multiple tragedies, and a faith that endured. The account of Ruth, or as some have called it three funerals and a wedding, is a story of faith. A faith that developed in Ruth, despite the wavering faith in her mother-in-law. A faith in the GOD of the Israelites, the GOD of Scripture, and the GOD who was her Creator, and became her Redeemer. A faith that was rewarded, not because she deserved any thing, but because GOD is gracious, and she was blessed and included in both the great examples of faith and in the genealogy of the Lord Jesus Christ.

     Ruth is an example of faith, in the midst of all the unfaithfulness and ungodliness which occurred during the time of the Judges, which we are admonished to follow. She left all that she had known before, her pagan ways and other gods, and followed the one true GOD by faith. She trusted the Lord for redemption, both in this life and in then next, and was obedient to Him. She believed GOD and looked to Him for all her needs, for she had committed herself to Him and His Word. Those of us who have repented of our sins and surrendered to GOD on His terms for Salvation are to walk by faith, departing from our old ways, trusting GOD, and relying on Him as He lives in us for our growth and His glory.

     All believers working in the service of the Lord ought to trust Him and follow His guidance. He is our Head, and we are to do His work and will in this world, not of it, or conformed to its ways and models, but transformed by His Word as we grow up into the full measure of Jesus Christ, our Lord, Saviour, Redeemer, and King. We are to serve Him in missions and ministry as we meet the needs of those around us who are hurting and in need, following our exalted Head as He guides us and provides for the work of His ambassadors. We are to worship Him as we fellowship together and love one another, making disciples through the Word of GOD, and equipping and encouraging one another in the work of the Lord. We are to obey Him as He sends us with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and as we go, empowering us to proclaim His Good News of repentance and reconciliation, that all who hear 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 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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