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The vessels of the house of the LORD

6/22/2016

 
Who is there among you of all His people? his GOD be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD GOD of Israel, (He is the GOD,) which is in Jerusalem. And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of GOD that is in Jerusalem. Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spirit GOD had raised, to go up to build the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem. And all they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, beside all that was willingly offered. (Ezra 1:3-6)
     Our journey through Mark now complete, we turn our attention to the history in Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. Ezra was a faithful scribe who collected many of the books of the Old Testament after the books of the Law and the books of wisdom and gathered them together, though not the same way we know them, into the Hebrew Scriptures or Old Testament. He begins his chronicle with the command and proclamation by Cyrus for the Jews to go back to Judah and Jerusalem and rebuild the temple which Babylon had torn down when Jerusalem was overthrown and the Jews were captured. The captivity of the Jews is drawing to a close and GOD has moved to return His people to their land and build a new temple that they may worship Him in spirit and in truth.
 
     When GOD moves, we must strengthen ourselves to the work, not in our own strength, or relying simply on our talents, abilities, strengths, and knowledge, but resting in His power, gifts, wisdom, and direction, to accomplish His will and do His work in this lost and dying world. Whatever GOD has called us to do for Him, we must do His work as His ambassadors and servants in this broken and sinful world He has called us to serve in for as long as we are here. He will strengthen us to whatever He brings us to do, and provide all our needs that He may be glorified in the work He does in us, just as He did with the Jews that He sent to build a new temple for Him in Jerusalem.
 
     Then the Jews who were obedient and faithful focused their worship on the Law and the sacrifices, so they needed a temple, the priests, and all the instruments of their worship to meet GOD. Today, we are the temple of the Holy Spirit that lives within us, and we worship all the time, the GOD who redeemed us from the Law and from sin when we repented of our sin, that we might serve Him whom we have received by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. Though a new temple is coming, and GOD will call back the Jews to Himself, and all nations will worship in that temple for a thousand years, and Christ Himself will be there as He rules and reigns on this earth, that is a future still to come.

     Until that day, we are called to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as GOD provides, with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that others may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our GOD has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned us with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go in the power of the Holy Spirit where He sends us, and as we go, 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

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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Thou teachest the way of GOD in truth

6/15/2016

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And Jesus answered and said, while He taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the Son of David? For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand, till I make Thine enemies Thy footstool. David therefore himself calleth Him Lord; and whence is He then His son? And the common people heard him gladly. And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces, And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts: Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation. (Mar 12:35-40)
      While the common people heard His message gladly and received His Word, the religious authorities did not, for they were threatened by His authority, knowledge, and proper application of the Scriptures which they misinterpreted for the people and yet said they believed. They looked for the adulation of the crowd and the recognition that came with their offices and titles, but didn't care for the people or their problems. Jesus spoke Truth and gave the people hope, while the scribes and elders who had the Truth spoke pious platitudes and dismissed the people, while taking from them.

     We must be on guard against those who use their position and seeming authority to speak outside the Scriptures. We must search the Scriptures daily to see if those things are so, with our Biblical glasses on, and the guidance and teaching of the Holy Spirit that is within us, that we may know the Truth and the Truth shall make us free. The Son of GOD who is GOD the Son who became a descendant of David after the flesh has given Himself for our sins, and when we repent and receive Him by faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary in our place we are born again and have a new life to live in and through Him who is our life. We don't have to fear this world, nor do we look to any other authority but GOD for our Salvation and deliverance. He alone can save to the uttermost, for He alone is GOD our Saviour, our Creator, Redeemer, and King.

      Until the day when He calls His own unto Himself and we depart this life and are ushered into His presence in the next, either by death or by the rapture of His saints, we are to be about our Father's business. We are called to be His servants, ministering to those around us who are hurting and in need with the Word of righteousness and reconciliation, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. We are commanded to love one another as He loved us, and to disciple one another in His Word that we may grow into the full measure of Him who is our Master, Jesus Christ. We are commissioned into His army of witnesses, not with weapons of the flesh and this world, but with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, having on the full armour of GOD, and in the power of the Holy Spirit, as we go 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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He taught them as one that had authority

6/14/2016

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And they come again to Jerusalem: and as He was walking in the temple, there come to Him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders, And say unto Him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things? And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, was it from Heaven, or of men? answer Me. And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him? But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed. And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things. (Mar 11:27-33)
       Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son has authority and power to judge, to exercise dominion, to speak and teach Truth, for He is the Word made flesh. He is our Creator and has every right to set His terms for our behaviour and our redemption. He is our Redeemer and has paid the sin debt we cannot pay. He is our King and not only rules in the hearts of those who submit to His authority today, but one day He will rule His earthly Kingdom and then all eternity with the Father. He, with the Father and the Spirit, is the Supreme Authority, GOD of gods and Lord of lords, over kingdoms, princes, powers, and life itself, for He is our life, and all things come from Him. He ever liveth to make intercession for His own, and to draw all who will believe to the Father.

      The scribes, and lawyers, and leaders of the Jews could not admit that His authority was from the Father because of their unbelief, nor could they condemn John, knowing the people's reaction and belief that he was a prophet from GOD. Their unwillingness, in their own pride and self-righteousness, to admit to anything and acknowledge the work of GOD led to their equivocation and acknowledging their unbelief. Pride will keep us from surrendering to GOD on His Terms and repenting of our sins, and our trust in our own righteousness and unwillingness to admit we need GOD will keep us from trusting in Jesus Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary in our place and for our Salvation.

     Those who are secure in Him and born again are to rest in that authority, not as license to sin, but His rightful demand of holiness and righteousness, as we serve our Lord and Master, fellowship with His people, and share Him with others. We are called to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need with the Word of righteousness and reconciliation, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that others might see Christ in us, the hope of glory. We are commanded to love one another as He loved us, and to disciple one another in His Word that all may grow in grace and in the knowledge of Him who died for us. We are commissioned as His witnesses, to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to this lost and dying world in the power of the Holy Spirit that is within us, and as we go, proclaiming the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and acknowledging our sin and reconciliation with the Father through faith in the Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD, might have life in His Name.

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

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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How is it that ye do not understand?

6/9/2016

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And when He had called the people unto Him with His disciples also, He said unto them, Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for My sake and the Gospel's, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when He cometh in the Glory of His Father with the holy angels. (Mar 8:34-38)
      Our life in Christ is one of surrender and submission. Surrender to His will and submission to His ways, which are above ways and not our own, makes us free. Free to live the life in Christ we were meant to live for GOD. The same repentance and dying to self that brought us to the Cross of Calvary by our faith in Him and His finished work of redemption in our place and for our sins is the same repentance and surrender to Him on His terms we are to exercise daily as we walk by faith in the Spirit and not in the flesh. We are not to go our way, or do our thing, or live as though GOD didn't exist until things get bad, and then expect GOD to clean  up our mess. Our GOD is not a genie to give us all we want, or the butler that corrects our mistakes and cleans up after our failures.

      Our GOD is Holy, and our perfect Father, and He requires Holiness and righteousness in His people. He calls us to live in Him and to walk in Him and will chastise those who disobey, He will correct those that stray, and will test us that we may grow in Him through His Word and the gifts that He has given to us because He loves us. There is nothing in this world, with its lusts, desires, and pride that is worth missing the blessing of GOD and His great Salvation. This world will not last, all that has been made will decay, be destroyed, or in the end be burned up, and only that which is safe and secure in Christ will be regenerated, renewed, and remade according to His purposes. Our faith and trust must be in Him who is our Creator, Redeemer, and King, not just Sunday, but all the time and in every situation, for He is Lord of all.

      Our Lord calls His people to represent Him in this broken and sinful world, not of it or conformed to its ways, but conformed to Christ, ministering to those around us who are hurting and in need, with the Word of righteousness and reconciliation, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they might see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our Lord commands His children to love one another as He loved us and to disciple one another in His Word that we may grow up into the full measure of Him who gave Himself for us. Our Lord has commissioned His Church to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit, and as we go where He sends us we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and surrender, and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that He 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 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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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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What shall I answer Thee?

5/26/2016

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I know that Thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from Thee. Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. Hear, I beseech Thee, and I will speak: I will demand of Thee, and declare Thou unto me. I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth Thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. (Job 42:2-6)
     Job answers all of GOD'S questions and statements regarding Himself and His creation and power with an acknowledgement that GOD is GOD and Job is not, neither did he really understand GOD, though he defended Him and himself to his friends. The Lord chastised Job's friends for their misinformation and for not speaking right about GOD or about Job and told Job to pray for his friends lest GOD deal with them as they deserved. Job entreated for his friends and forgave them and GOD blessed Job in the end with as much as he had lost in the trial.

     GOD can do every thing and His ways are above our ways and His thoughts are above our thoughts, and we, apart from the Spirit of GOD to give us wisdom, cannot understand the things of GOD nor know Him. But GOD is gracious and gives knowledge and revelation of Himself through His Word, that we might know Him and the Spirit of the Lord gives understanding to those who seek Him by faith, for without faith it is impossible to please Him. He will reward those who diligently seek Him and gives Salvation to those who repent and trust Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary for redemption and reconciliation.

      GOD wants every one every where to be saved, and He desires His Church to be on mission with Him that those without might see Christ in us and come to know Him and be born again. GOD calls His people to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need, with the Word of righteousness and reconciliation, rightly divided and fitly spoken, and serve Him as His ambassadors to do His will and accomplish His work in this broken and dying world. GOD commands His children to love one another as members one of another, and to disciple one another in His Word as apprentices in the work of the Kingdom. GOD has commissioned all His saints to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ as we go in the power of the Holy Spirit to this lost and dying world that they may hear the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son and in believing that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD, 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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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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