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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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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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The salvation of your souls

3/11/2016

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Blessed be the GOD and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in Heaven for you, who are kept by the power of GOD through faith unto Salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: (1Pe 1:3-7)
      Peter begins his epistle with a message of hope and encouragement to believers that our redemption by GOD is not through our own efforts, will not fade away, and though we will go through many trials during our sojourn here, GOD knows that He will bring us through, conformed to the image of His dear Son, for good and for His Glory. Our eternity with Him is sealed by Him, and His Spirit within is the earnest of our Redemption. The trials are temporary, but our GOD and our relationship with Him through repentance and faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary is eternal and ever lasting.

      Those not yet in Christ still have an opportunity to receive Christ by faith unto eternal life, for GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the acknowledging of the Truth. GOD loves you, and while His foreknowledge means He knows who are His, His grace and mercy extends to all who will repent and believe in Him. He will not force any one to be born again, but all who reject His great Salvation will be for ever separated from the only true GOD and from His Son, Jesus Christ, whom He sent to be the Saviour of the world. GOD the Son who is the Son of GOD became a man and went humbly and willingly to that cruel Roman cross that we might have life and have it more abundantly in Him who is our life.

      When He shall appear, we who are His will receive the final aspect of GOD's plan of redemption, the glorification of His people, not that we become gods, but that we are made new in our bodies, just as He made us new in our spirits, and is making all things new in our souls. Until that day we are to continue in Him, trusting in Him who is our rest, and serving all those He sends us to as ministers of reconciliation and ambassadors of His Kingdom. We are to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need, with the Word of reconciliation rightly divided and fitly spoken that they may see Jesus in us, the hope of Glory. We are to love one another, fellowship together as we accomplish His work, and disciple one another as we grow in Him into the full measure of Him with whom we have to do. We are to testify of Him with the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Ghost until all have heard the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in Him, that in believing 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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Consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession

2/29/2016

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Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the Author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the Throne of GOD. For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. (Heb 12:1-3)
     All those who have gone on before, faithfully testifying of the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, encourage us to remain faithful in this marathon we run. We were born into the human race, and the wages we earn for the race of sin is death. When we are born again, and we must be in order to be translated from the kingdom of darkness, into the Kingdom of His Son and receive eternal life, we are set on a journey with Jesus and in Him, His righteousness in us by faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary.

     Jesus Christ took our place, willingly and humbly paying the price for sIn we could not pay, and providing the only way of forgiveness and reconciliation with the Father, through His obedience and sacrifice. All who have trusted Him now live in Him the righteousness of Christ and are adopted into this great family of GOD, one with the Father, not because we are now divine, or will become so, but because He has made us heirs of the righteousness which is in Christ Jesus, a new creature in Christ, risen to walk in newness of life.

     His sacrifice means we are forgiven to serve, blessed to be a blessing, empowered to encourage, equipped and enabled to engage others for Jesus Christ. We are to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need with the Word of reconciliation as GOD provides His power, direction, and abundance of grace and mercy. We are to love one another with the unfeigned love of the brethren, as He loved us, and disciple one another in His Word until we all come into the full measure of Him who is our Head. We are to witness unto Him who gave Himself for us, that others may know Him and the power of His resurrection, taking the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit, and as we go, proclaiming the Good News of forgiveness and reconciliation with the Father to all who will hear that by repentance and faith they might 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 power of His endless priesthood and eternal life

2/19/2016

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For the Law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto GOD. And inasmuch as not without an oath He was made priest: (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by Him that said unto Him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:) By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better Testament. And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man, because He continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto GOD by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Heb 7:19-25)
      The Lord liveth, and blessed be the Rock, and let the GOD of our Salvation be exalted! Our GOD reigns, as an eternal High priest He offered Himself in our place, to pay our sIn debt, and ever liveth to intercede for His own. We can approach GOD through the blood of Jesus Christ, unto the throne of Grace, because we are secure in Him by faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. He has paid our debt and purchased our redemption in His own body on that tree, and now will receive all those who come to Him in repentance and faith. What the Law could not do, nor could we, Christ has done in Himself and for us.

      We cannot come to Him on our terms, or in our own works, for our works do not save us, but in full surrender to Him on His terms, by faith through grace alone, we receive His great Salvation and eternal life through Him who is eternal. The Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, became a man, and endured our punishment that we might live in and through Him. He offered Himself in our place that we might receive His life and be born again, having His righteousness as we do His work and will in this broken and dying world and His Spirit within to guide us into all Truth as we live and walk in Him.

      In Him we are empowered to serve others, His ambassadors with the Word of reconciliation, to minister in His Name and the authority that brings to those around us who are hurting and in need, that others might see Jesus in us, the hope of Glory. In Him we are encouraged to disciple one another, speaking the Truth in love, and edifying and exhorting the saints to the work of the ministry until we all grow up into the full measure of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. In Him we are equipped to witness and testify, taking the Gospel of Jesus Christ as we go, and telling all who will hear the Good News of forgiveness and reconciliation 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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Hearken unto the Commandments of the LORD

1/5/2016

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And they were to prove Israel by them, to know whether they would hearken unto the commandments of the LORD, which He commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses. And the children of Israel dwelt among the Canaanites, Hittites, and Amorites, and Perizzites, and Hivites, and Jebusites: And they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their daughters to their sons, and served their gods. And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgat the LORD their GOD, and served Baalim and the groves. Therefore the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and He sold them into the hand of Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children of Israel served Chushanrishathaim eight years. (Jdg 3:4-8)
      The nations which GOD left in the land of Promise, whether because of treaties, the disobedience of the previous generations, or because of His plans, were now here as a test of the faithfulness of GOD's people. The Children of Israel were called and commanded to be holy, separate, and to shine as a light to the Gentiles while glorifying GOD. Each generation would face tests and the temptations of this world. The generation which came after Joshua would now face life under the direction of their GOD but without a central leader like before. When they failed to keep His Commandments and follow GOD with all of their heart and with all of their soul, GOD gave them into the hands of their neighbours and enemies to bring them back to Him.

      We are all tested, as GOD brings us closer to Himself, being conformed to the image of His Son. Those of us who know Him, by repentance of our sins and faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, are called as His people to be holy because He is Holy, separate from the world, and to shine as His lights in this broken and dying world of darkness for His glory. We are not to be friends with the world, nor are we to conform to its ways, but through His Word we are to be transformed in our thinking, casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of GOD, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

      He will bring us through whatever He has willed for us, if we rely on Him, for He is our Lord; our Saviour, our Creator, and soon coming King. We are His servants, to accomplish His will and do His work in this world, not to earn or keep what He has given us by His grace, but because of our love for Him who made us, who hath redeemed us from sin, and who rules and directs us for His glory. We are not to serve ourselves, or to serve sin any more, but to be salt and light those who are without, who need healing and rescue in this lost and dying world.

      We serve as ambassadors of His Kingdom, to meet the needs of those around us, with the Word of reconciliation, who are hurting and in need. We serve as the members of His body, to equip, encourage, and enable one another in love and disciple one another in the Word of GOD until we all grow up into the full measure of Him who is our Head. We serve as His witnesses, giving testimony of Him and the Salvation that He brings to those who hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ and believe the Good News of reconciliation with the Father that they might repent and have life in His Name.

     For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the 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 should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you

12/22/2015

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All the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of Israel were forty and eight cities with their suburbs. These cities were every one with their suburbs round about them: thus were all these cities. And the LORD gave unto Israel all the land which He sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein. And the LORD gave them rest round about, according to all that He sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand. There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass. (Jos 21:41-45)
       In addition to the cities of refuge, for the slayer of blood, GOD gave cities in every region to the Levites, who worked in the temple and had no land for themselves. He had promised that they would be maintained through the offerings of the people, and now He gave them cities to live in throughout the nation of Israel, that they might minister to the people, even as the people were to minister to those subdued peoples that remained within, and their neighbours without. GOD gave them peace, that they might witness of His power and glory.

       We are called to be a Kingdom of priests, an Holy nation, a peculiar people. GOD has work for His people to do, to be about His business, and to glorify and testify of Him, not only through our lives, but also with our words. Our words and deeds ought to be holy and to honour our Lord, who gave Himself for us. We ought to also, appreciate and honour those who minister in the Word and in positions of service and authority within the body under the headship of Jesus Christ.

      No matter where GOD has called us to serve, or how, we ought to honour Him, hold fast to our profession as His people, and through His Word, in the power of the Holy Spirit that is within us, direct others to Christ and His great Salvation through repentance and faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. He has called all His people to the ministry of reconciliation, that we might meet the needs of those around us who are hurting and in need. He has commanded His body to love one another, even as He also loved us, and to disciple one another in His Word until we all come into the full measure of Him. He has commissioned His servants and friends to be witnesses unto Him, that as we go, we may take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to this lost and dying world, that all who hear the Good News 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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What mean these stones?

12/3/2015

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And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of the LORD your GOD into the midst of Jordan, and take ye up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel: That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones? Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.
Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land. For the LORD your GOD dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the LORD your GOD did to the Red sea, which He dried up from before us, until we were gone over: That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your GOD for ever. (Jos 4:5-7, 22-24)
      Israel was to remember the works of providence, deliverance, and grace by the mighty hand of the Lord. Twelve stones, one for each tribe of the people of Israel from the riverbed, to commemorate and memorialize the crossing of the river, just as the previous generations had crossed over the Red Sea. The people of Israel were also supposed to testify to those that asked, and teach their children well, so that the following generations would remember how GOD brought them through their circumstances, and that He would be with them through whatever He had brought them to.

      We are to remember what GOD has done for us, and testify of His wondrous works, that all may know that we have met the Lord and we are His. We are to live in Him, and trust Him to bring us through whatever He has brought us to, resting in His power and the mighty hand of GOD. Just as He delivered and provided for the people of Israel, so He will do so for His people today, for He does not change. His mercies are new every morning, and His love is everlasting. We are His people, bought with a price, and having received Him by faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary we are secured by His grace unto life everlasting.

      We are lively stones, fitly placed in His Church, that we might be a witness to this lost and dying world of His mighty power and grace. We are to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need, that they might see Jesus in us, the hope of Glory. We are to love one another as Christ loved us, that all may know we are His disciples. We are to go and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ from His Word, and as we go, tell all who will hear of all that He has done for us and the Good News of reconciliation by faith and forgiveness of sin that comes from true repentance, that those 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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