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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

He is alive

6/21/2016

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And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: He is risen; He is not here: behold the place where they laid Him. (Mar 16:2-6)
     Our Lord, having paid our sin debt, yet without sin, Himself was not subject to death. The grave could not hold Him. Death could not keep Him, for He is life. He has paid for our sins, and satisfied the Father’s wrath, and all who receive Him by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary are no longer under condemnation but free. We free to free to live in Him the life we are meant to live through Him and free to live a life of holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.

     The stone was not rolled away to let Him out, but that His disciples and followers would see in, and know that He had risen, that He was alive, and would see them just as He said. The angel was sitting, no longer covering the mercy seat, but now at rest, just as we rest in Him who is our life, our peace, and our rest, because He has fulfilled the Law, made a way for us to have peace with GOD through His sacrifice and given us victory over sin, death, and the grave. We have victory in Him, not to live as we please, or to do as we will, but to accomplish His will and do the work He has for us to do in this broken and sinful world.

     The Lord Jesus has called His redeemed Church to serve Him as His ambassadors, with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, and to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need with that which GOD provides. Our GOD and Saviour has commanded us to love one another as He first loved us and gave Himself for us, and to disciple one another in His Word that we might grow up into the full measure of Him who commended His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Our Master has commissioned us into His service to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit 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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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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He that is not against us is on our part

6/10/2016

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And He sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. And He took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when He had taken him in His arms, He said unto them, Whosoever shall receive one of such children in My Name, receiveth Me: and whosoever shall receive Me, receiveth not Me, but Him that sent Me. (Mar 9:35-37)
       When we come to Christ by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary and submit to Him in complete surrender on His terms and repent of our sins we are transformed by the power of GOD to serve Him. We are no longer slaves to sin, but servants of righteousness, new creatures in Christ, walking by faith the life we are meant to live in and through Him, and resurrected to serve our Lord, doing His will and accomplishing His work in this broken and dying world. Those who are counted as great are those who die to themselves daily and serve others, esteeming others better than themselves, loving with an unfeigned heart those within the body of Christ and extending the love of GOD to those without, that they might know Him.

      We serve, not to earn or keep any of GOD'S grace or favour, for we who are in Christ have already received His righteousness, and are secure in Him, but because of His example, and because the love of GOD constrains us and commands us to love one another as He first loved us. We serve because we are not above our Master, and He came to serve, even to give His life a ransom for many, and to pay the penalty for our sin that we could not pay. GOD commended His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us, and we now in and through Him who dwells within, love and serve others, not for our glory or to accomplish our goals, but that GOD may be glorified in us. We are His workmanship and ought to be doing that which He has set us apart to do, by His power, and in accordance with His will and His Word until He is done with us and calls us Home to be with Him.

       Until that day, His servants are 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 ambassadors of the King to this lost and dying world. While we are here, we are to love one another and disciple one another in the Word of GOD that we may be perfect, fully equipped to every good work. GOD has called us to serve, commanded us to love, and commissioned us with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and we are to go, and as we go, in the power of the Holy Spirit within us, 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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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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Let your light so shine before men

6/3/2016

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And He said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick? For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. And He said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath. (Mar 4:21-25)
     Our light, the light of life, reflecting the light of the Saviour, through the Holy Spirit that is within us, should shine forth, not for our glory, or to advance our agenda, but to glorify our Father which is in Heaven and accomplish His will in this broken and sinful world. We are His children and ambassadors of His Kingdom and the life we live while we sojourn here ought to always reflect Him who has called those of us who have believed out of the darkness we once lived in into His marvellous light and placed us as beacons where He wants us to be.

     Our responses to what the sin and suffering in this world, to what the world brings against us, or what we experience in this lost and dying world, must always be with a measure of grace, as children of the King. Our understanding and judgment ought to be tempered by our worldview, through His Word and what it reveals about our GOD, about ourselves and others who are not born again, and His eternal plan of Salvation to all those who repent of their sins and trust Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary.

      His people, the Church of GOD, are called to serve and minister to those around us who are hurting and in need, that they might know Him and see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. His children, the family of GOD, are commanded to love one another and disciple one another in His Word that we might grow thereby. His saints, the army of GOD, are commissioned to the work of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to proclaim His 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 must be about My Father's business

6/2/2016

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There came then His brethren and His mother, and, standing without, sent unto Him, calling him. And the multitude sat about Him, and they said unto Him, Behold, Thy mother and Thy brethren without seek for Thee. And He answered them, saying, Who is My mother, or My brethren? And He looked round about on them which sat about Him, and said, Behold My mother and My brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of GOD, the same is My brother, and My sister, and mother. (Mar 3:31-35)
     Jesus was not being unkind when He refused to give preferential treatment to those who were related to Him after the flesh, but demonstrated that He had a higher purpose and a calling to serve all who believe. Those who are related to Him because they are born again into His family by repentance and faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary are eternally His and servants of the most High GOD. Earthly and temporal relations will end on this life, but that which is eternal will last forever. Those of us who are in Christ by faith have been received into His Church and are His brethren and members one of another that we might serve Him until He calls us Home.

    While He walked this earth He never sinned, but His plans and purposes always remained in obedience to His Heavenly Father. He always did the will of His Father and was always about His Father's business. That should be our goal, for those of us who are secure in His Salvation because of our trust in Him, we ought to seek His will and accomplish His work in this world, for we are His workmanship and the greater works which we do are the works which He has before ordained that we should walk in them by faith. We don't earn or keep that which GOD has graciously given to us but glorify our GOD as He works through and in us that which He has purposed for us to do, when we are obedient to His call and submit to His service.

      For we who are His people are called to serve, we are His ambassadors and are to minister to those around us with the Word of righteousness and reconciliation, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may know Him as they see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Those of us in His family are commanded to love, as members one of another, and to disciple one another in His Word that we may grow up into the full measure of Him with whom we have to do. We who are His children and soldiers of the Cross 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 that is within us, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father who loves us 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 came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance

6/1/2016

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And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the Bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the Bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. But the days will come, when the Bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days. No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse. And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles. (Mar 2:19-22)
     These words by our Lord show us several important points about history, the Christian life, and our GOD'S plan for those who put their faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary for Salvation. Jesus reminds us that wherever the King is the Kingdom is at hand, and that He came to bring life. But it is not our old life that Jesus came to save, but to resurrect our spirits, which had died in Adam and our rebellion against Him, and give us a brand new life in Him and through Him. We don't just turn over a new leaf, or patch up our broken lives, and try to make do with GOD, or bring GOD into our lives, but live in Him and with Him the new life in Christ we were meant to live by grace through faith.

     When we repent of our sins and receive Him by faith we are made new creatures in Christ, no longer part of this sinful world and no longer conformed to this world and its ways and thoughts, but born again into His family, His Church, His bride. that we might do His will and accomplish His work in this broken and dying world. We are no longer to live for ourselves, or simply exist, but we are to serve Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvellous light. We are translated from the world of darkness and sin into His Kingdom of light and are now servants of the Most High GOD.

    As servants of our Lord and children of the King, we are His ambassadors with the Word of righteousness and reconciliation, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need, as GOD leads us and provides for us to serve others. As His children and members one of another we are to love one another and disciple one another in His Word that we might be conformed to the image of His dear Son. As His ambassadors and witnesses of His Majesty and Glory we are to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to this lost and dying world in the power of the Holy Spirit and as we go proclaim the Good News of forgiveness 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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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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