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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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The LORD turned the captivity of Job

5/27/2016

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And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of Me the thing that is right, as My servant Job hath. Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to My servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and My servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of Me the thing which is right, like My servant Job. (Job 42:7-8)
     As we wrap up our journey through this both difficult and interesting book of Job, possibly one of the oldest books of the Bible, we see the Word of the Lord unto Job and his friends. GOD was not pleased with Job's friends, for their mistaken characterization of Him, of their attacks on Job and his righteousness, and for their lack of comfort in his time of need. None of them were aware of the spiritual battle and trial that Job was undergoing, nor did they understand GOD and His righteousness and mercy.

     That mercy was displayed when GOD told them to repent and offer sacrifices for their sin through Job. Job prayed for his friends and forgave them and they were spared the judgment they deserved. GOD was under no obligation to offer mercy, but because of His love, He forgave them their sin. He also blessed Job with more than he had before the trial began. His property and health was restored and he had additional sons and daughters and lived a long time. He also got his request granted and his words were written in a book, the book of Job.

     In this broken and dying world there are certain truths we can count on: one, GOD is and He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. Two, trials and tribulations come to all, either directed or allowed by our Sovereign King or as a result of living in this post-flood world. In all of these we can trust GOD, whether we are being tested, chastised, or just being rained on. On this side of the grass, we may never know, but we can go to our Father and seek His face and rest in Him who is our rest, our peace, our life, and our eternal security. He offers His great Salvation to all who will acknowledge and repent of their sin against Him and receive Him by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary.

     GOD, who is full of mercy and grace, is also a GOD of judgment and justice. His love is perfect, tempered and balanced by His authority over His creation. He calls His people to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need that they might see Christ in us, the hope of Glory and know of Him through His Word and through His servants. GOD commands His Church to love one another as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in His Word that we might grow thereby. The Lord has commissioned each of us who are His to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to this lost and sinful world, and as we go in the power of the Holy Spirit, to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD, might have life in His Name.

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

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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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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GOD hath taken away my judgment

5/17/2016

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But none saith, Where is GOD my Maker, who giveth songs in the night; who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven? There they cry, but none giveth answer, because of the pride of evil men. Surely GOD will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it. Although thou sayest thou shalt not see Him, yet judgment is before Him; therefore trust thou in Him. (Job 35:10-14)
     Elihu continues his diatribe against Job and his counselors by trying to say that Job is acting just like the wicked around him who act like there is no GOD when deep down they know there is. Like many who try to deny GOD they are angry with GOD and don't want to be accountable to Him. Elihu declares that their pride is the reason for their sin, and even Job and his friends have this problem, for we all do. But Job was righteous, not in his own works or by any thing he had done, but by his faith in the Almighty GOD who had redeemed him.

     All of the characters in the little drama have misplaced notions about GOD and His holiness and righteousness, and none of them knew of the spiritual scenes played out at the beginning. The reality all will learn, and we can learn from Job, is that GOD is, that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him, and that Jesus Christ has revealed Himself in Creation, in His Word, and then when He humbled Himself and put on flesh and paid for our sins, that we might be made the righteousness of GOD in Him by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary.

     You can either bow before GOD in surrender to Him on His terms now, acknowledging and repenting of your sin, and receiving His forgiveness by faith, or you can spend all eternity experiencing the eternal punishment for your sins which you have rightly earned. The wages of sin is death, not just physical death, for we all may experience that, but separation from GOD who is life. The gift of GOD is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord, paid for through His blood and sacrifice in our place, and for our sins, that we might have an abundant life in Him, not to sin all we want, but to live the life we were meant to live in, through, and for Him who is our life.

      That is the message of hope and judgment that GOD's church is to take to this lost and dying world. We are to be His ambassadors, with the Word of righteousness and reconciliation, rightly divided and fitly spoken, ministering as His servants to those around us who hurting and in need. We are to be His disciples, loving one another with an unfeigned love as we disciple one another in His Word that we may  grow thereby. We are to be His witnesses, taking the Gospel of Jesus Christ to this broken and sinful world, and as we go in the power of the Holy Spirit proclaiming the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that all who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.

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

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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The breath of the Almighty hath given me life

5/13/2016

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Then He is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth: He shall pray unto GOD, and He will be favourable unto him: and he shall see His face with joy: for He will render unto man His righteousness. He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not; He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light. (Job 33:24-28)
     Elihu continues his response to Job and his three friends by extolling properly the Salvation of our GOD. His redemption is by grace, and His mercies are renewed every morning. His righteousness is imputed unto us by faith, our faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. All our righteousness is as filthy rags and our iniquities have taken us away. Only through repentance and our trust in the blood of Jesus Christ shed in our place can we be made perfect and holy in the eyes of GOD and enter into His presence, both now and for all eternity.

     Our GOD is a righteous GOD who calls those who are His to holiness and obedience in His Word. We live this new life we have in Christ, by His power and presence, that we might glorify and worship Him who is worthy of all praise. We endure trials because He is merciful and gracious, and will bring us through. We are strong, not in our own flesh for that is weak, but in the strength of the Lord who is our strength and our song. The arm of flesh will fail us, but our GOD will never leave us nor forsake us, and through Him we can do all things He calls us to do to accomplish His will and do His work in this world.

      We are here to represent our GOD who has delivered us, 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 may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. We are here to fellowship together, loving one another in the love of Christ and discipling one another in the Word of GOD. We are here to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as we go in the power of the Holy Spirit where He sends us, and to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son that those who believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him 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 inheritance of the Almighty from on high? 

5/11/2016

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For destruction from GOD was a terror to me, and by reason of His highness I could not endure. If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence; If I rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because mine hand had gotten much; If I beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking in brightness; And my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand: This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the GOD that is above. (Job 31:23-28)
      Job finishes his lament concerning his condition and the counsel of his so-called friends by declaring his righteousness, not in his own actions, but by faith in the GOD who had redeemed and forgiven him. His offerings and sacrifices, and his obedience by faith, have covered his sin. He did not understand all that was happening, but he knew he strived to live according to the precepts of GOD as he knew them at the time. He understood that he could not make himself righteous nor could he save himself by his works, but that GOD would receive that which was offered in faith in Him and account it for righteousness.

     Job did not put any trust in any thing of this world nor did he expect any thing natural to last. He recognized and acknowledged that GOD is above all and made all things and He is the one we must trust, for Salvation, for our needs, for blessing and prosperity, and even when things seem to go so wrong in this life, for He is our life, our hope, and our peace, even in the midst of the storm. He is above all things, and He is in control of all things, and nothing happens that is not allowed or directed. We are to trust Him and obey His Word, as He lives in us to accomplish His will and do His work in us, and in this sinful and broken world.

     His work, through His church, is to serve and minister to people that they might come to know Him. He has called us to be His servants and ministers, reaching people who are hurting and in need, with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, as ambassadors of the Kingdom of GOD. He has commanded His family to love one another as members of His body and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD that we may grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. He has commissioned His people to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every nation, going and serving in the power of the Holy Spirit that is within us, and proclaiming the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, 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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Doth not He see my ways, and count all my steps?

5/10/2016

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Terrors are turned upon me: they pursue my soul as the wind: and my welfare passeth away as a cloud. And now my soul is poured out upon me; the days of affliction have taken hold upon me. My bones are pierced in me in the night season: and my sinews take no rest. By the great force of my disease is my garment changed: it bindeth me about as the collar of my coat. He hath cast me into the mire, and I am become like dust and ashes. (Job 30:15-19)

     Job continues his lament over his condition, and lashes out at his so called friends for their harsh words, and others that abused his condition. He is right in that they were not to kind in their explanations, especially since they were wrong about most of what they had to say. Job and his "counselors" were unaware of the spiritual battle and the trial Job was experiencing because he was righteous in the eyes of GOD and his faith and obedience to the Lord was being tested. They did not or would not acknowledge that even in times of trouble, GOD is good and right and just, because they didn't see it themselves.

     We too need to trust GOD, for He is good and right, and He does not change. That trust and faith is not blind, for he has revealed Himself to us, first in His creation, and then through the pages of His Word, the Holy Scriptures, that we might know Him and His righteousness. He has the right to expect righteousness and holiness from His people, and has revealed to us our need of Him. Our righteousness comes through Christ and our faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, not to sin all we want but to live in and through Him the life we were meant to live. In Christ we have received forgiveness which brings liberty, not to sin, but to become more like Him as He works in us to conform us to Himself for our good and His glory.

     We are here, in this broken and dying world but not of it, as ambassadors of His Kingdom, with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, to do His will and accomplish His work in this lost and sinful world. We are to serve Him as we minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We are to love one another as He loved us and disciple one another in the Word of GOD that we may grow thereby. We are to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ as we go, in the power of Holy Spirit who guides us and sends us as He will, and 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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I will teach you by the hand of GOD

5/5/2016

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As GOD liveth, who hath taken away my judgment; and the Almighty, who hath vexed my soul; All the while my breath is in me, and the Spirit of GOD is in my nostrils; My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit.
For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when GOD taketh away his soul? Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him? Will he delight himself in the Almighty? will he always call upon GOD? (Job 27:2-4, 8-10)
     Job maintained, and rightfully so, his integrity and righteousness in relation to GOD. He knew his righteousness came from His faith in GOD and in his obedience to GOD'S requirements. His hope was in GOD and he knew, though he questioned what was going on, and why the troubles he was experienced were happening, that GOD would bring him through it all. He believed that GOD'S Judgment was just, and the experiences of this world even by the faithful are complex and frustrating, for we live in a broken and dying world corrupted by sin. He was not trusting in himself, or what He had done, but in GOD who had redeemed him and made him righteous in His sight.

     Our works don't save us or make us right with GOD but they do follow and reflect the faith that we have. We ought to be doing the works GOD calls us to accomplish for Him because of what GOD has done for us, and because of His love within us, not to save us or to earn any favours with GOD. Those who are trusting in their works, or behaviour, or religion to save them, apart from saving faith in Jesus Christ alone and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, are fooling themselves and GOD will not receive them unto Himself because we never knew Him. Neither will our works maintain our relationship with Him, for if we truly are a new creature in Christ, that cannot be undone. That is not a license to sin all we want, or to do our will, but liberty in Christ to live in and through Him a life of service and love for Christ and to others.

     Those who are playing games with church, and with GOD, and are not the Christian they think they are, because they have never truly repented of their sins and been born again, will be cast out of the presence of GOD at judgment because they were never His. That which we do, if we do it to earn favour with GOD, and not out of the abundance of the love of GOD shed abroad in our hearts by the Spirit of GOD which is within, is of the flesh and is filthy rags in the sight of GOD. GOD demands, and He has the right to as our Creator, the only Redeemer, and soon coming King, our complete and total surrender on His terms for us to be in right relationship with Him. He desires, out of His great love for all, that we come to Him and believe in Him and His Word, and receive Him by faith and complete trust in who He is and what He has done to pay the penalty for our sin, once for all.

       GOD'S Church must stop playing church and playing games with the Gospel, and be about our Father's business. We are here to serve, called to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need, with the Word of righteousness, reconciliation, and Truth, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. We are here to disciple, commanded to love one another and equip one another in the Word that we may all grow into the full measure of Him who first loved us. We are here to witness, commissioned to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to this lost and dying world, that as we go, in the power of the Holy Spirit that is within us, we proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that 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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I shall come forth as gold

4/29/2016

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I would order my cause before Him, and fill my mouth with arguments. I would know the words which He would answer me, and understand what He would say unto me. Will He plead against me with His great power? No; but He would put strength in me. There the righteous might dispute with Him; so should I be delivered for ever from my Judge.
My foot hath held His steps, His way have I kept, and not declined. Neither have I gone back from the Commandment of His lips; I have esteemed the Words of His mouth more than my necessary food.
(Job 23:4-7, 11-12)
      Job once makes an impassioned plea to speak to GOD and make his case that he was righteous and that his sin was covered by the sacrifices GOD had required. Job knew that without his sin covered on GOD'S terms, he would be unrighteous and unable to stand before a Holy and Righteous GOD. He also knew that His Redeemer and Judge would deliver him, not only from this particular calamity, but from all that was not good, in His time.
 
     Job had remained in the way of GOD, and kept His Commandments as he had them at the time. He had kept the words which GOD had given Him and cherished them more than even food. They were precious to Him, for they were life. He would not turn back, not could he go away from GOD and try his own way, for then he would no longer be right in the sight of GOD and would not get his answer.

    The trials that come our way may not be pleasant at the time, nor are the consequences of sin, if we choose that for a season. GOD chastises those who are His own, and corrects His children that they may grow up into Him and be conformed, not to this world, but to the image of His Son. GOD allows events, evil, and calamities to occur in this sinful and broken world, because we rebelled against Him and our sin has corrupted every thing we once knew as perfect. GOD can direct events to transpire for our growth, to bring people to Himself, or show sinners their need for Him. Most of all He wants His people to be about our Father's business to take the Word of GOD to this lost and dying world that they may know Him and receive His great Salvation.

     We are here to serve, to love and minister, and to preach and proclaim His Word in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation. We are called to serve Him, as His ambassadors, with the Word of righteousness and reconciliation, rightly divided and fitly spoken, as we minister to those around us who are hurting and in need. We are commanded to love one another even as He loved us and gave Himself for us, and to disciple one another in His Word as we grow and are equipped, edified, and encouraged in the work of the ministry. We are commanded by our Lord to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ as we go in the power of the Holy Spirit to every one we meet and proclaim His Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who 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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GOD shall cast the fury of His wrath upon him

4/26/2016

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He shall flee from the iron weapon, and the bow of steel shall strike him through. It is drawn, and cometh out of the body; yea, the glittering sword cometh out of his gall: terrors are upon him. All darkness shall be hid in his secret places: a fire not blown shall consume him; it shall go ill with him that is left in his tabernacle. The heaven shall reveal his iniquity; and the earth shall rise up against him. The increase of his house shall depart, and his goods shall flow away in the day of his wrath. This is the portion of a wicked man from GOD, and the heritage appointed unto him by GOD. (Job 20:24-29)
      Zophar responds to Job's pointed rejection of his counsel and advice by doubling down on his opinion that the wicked perish and do not prosper in this world, so Job must be wicked. He was totally incorrect in application of GOD'S Judgment of sin, and ignored the reality in his own world, as well as the timing of GOD'S patience and long-suffering that sinners may repent. Zophar condemned the wicked without mercy, rejected any idea that sinners often prosper in the sin for a season, that not every one is bothered or convicted by their sin, and failed to consider the testing and trials which GOD may put us through to make us stronger.

     Many things may come upon the wicked, those that have truly rejected GOD and the ardently opposed to Him, but even the most hardhearted person can be saved by the power of GOD, the Word of GOD, and the Spirit which convicts and points people to Christ. Many things also happen to His saints, as He allows, either because He is testing their faith, as in this case, or because He is drawing His people closer to Himself. This life is full of evil and calamities, and GOD can direct events because He is Sovereign,  but He also allows other events simply to happen in this world that is broken and dying because of our sin against Him. Death occurs because sin brings death and rebellion brings judgment. Sin occurs because we are sinners and our nature without the new life which Christ gives those who are His leads us to sin in this lost and sinful world.

     We who have repented of our sin, because we acknowledged our sin and its awful consequences before a righteous and Holy GOD, and received His forgiveness by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary were made a new creature in Him, with a new life and a new nature, and liberty to live in Him the life which we were all meant to live. That does not mean every thing will be perfect, just ask Job, but that GOD will be with us all the way, and He will carry us through whatever He directs and allows to come our way, for His honour and Glory and that we might be made more like Him until He is done with us and takes us Home to be with Him.

     Until that day, all those who are secure in Him, not because of our righteousness, but because of His bestowed upon us, are to serve Him and do His will in this world and accomplish His work while we sojourn here. 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, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. We are to love one another in fellowship and ministry, and disciple one another in His Word that we may be equipped, encouraged, and edified to the work of the ministry and the exhortation of the saints. We are to go with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit which dwells within us, and as we go where He sends us, to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son that those who repent and believe in Him 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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