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Keeping the charge of the Sanctuary

12/11/2017

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And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, And I, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn that openeth the matrix among the children of Israel: therefore the Levites shall be mine; Because all the firstborn are mine; for on the day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast: mine shall they be: I am the LORD. (Num. 3:11-13)
     When God delivered the children of Israel from their bondage in Egypt He declared that all the firstborn as hallowed unto Him as they were spared when He passed over the homes of those covered by the blood on the doorposts. He claimed as His own the tribe of the Levites in service unto Him and the tabernacle instead of all the firstborn. The Levites, especially the sons of Aaron would continue in service as priests of the people and servants of God because God had declared them holy unto Him as the firstborn had been.
 
     God had set apart all the firstborn as holy because He had delivered them from bondage to Egypt. All those who were covered by the blood on the doorposts God passed over and delivered them that they might serve Him. He declared that all the Levites, the sons of Aaron, were to be priests in the tabernacle, and later the temple, of God and servants unto the nation of Israel to intercede among the people and unto God with the sacrifices and offerings which were brought to Him. They, like the firstborn, were hallowed by God unto His service, not by their righteousness, but by the blood which sanctified and set them apart unto God.
 
     Today all the saints of God, covered by the blood of Jesus Christ because of their repentance of their sins and faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary are sanctified servants of the Most High God. Those who know Him and are secure in His life and righteousness, not by their own works or merit, but by His blood and their surrender to Him on His terms, are priests and ministers of God and unto one another. We who know Christ and are born again are set apart in service unto God to reach the lost, to teach the disciples, and to preach the Word that all who are in God’s Church may know Him and grow in Him until He is done with us.
 
     Until that day, God has sent those of us that know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they 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 those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are 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.
 
       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 faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary 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 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

Making the Word of GOD of none effect through your tradition

6/8/2016

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Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?" He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. Howbeit in vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the Commandment of GOD, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And He said unto them, Full well ye reject the Commandment of GOD, that ye may keep your own tradition. (Mar 7:5-9)
      All the rules and directives which the Pharisees had instituted to ensure that people kept the Law they couldn't keep, and the Pharisees didn't keep it either, had made such a mess of GOD'S Law that they were actually breaking both the letter and the spirit of the Law through their "law around the law". Their unbelieving lip-service to GOD while ignoring the intent of the Law to show them their need of GOD for Salvation, while also ignoring the true righteousness of GOD which the Law could never give, was true hypocrisy and Jesus rightfully spoke to the heart of the issue. Their hearts were not right, for without faith in GOD they looked to themselves and their religion for salvation, worshiped a god of their own making, and pridefully held to their own ideas of what the Law was for and to grant them their own righteousness.

      Self righteousness will not get anybody anywhere with a Holy and righteous GOD who demands, and He has every right to as our Creator, His people to come to Him on His terms and not their own. But, knowing that in our sin we cannot measure up, no matter how careful we are to the Laws and Statutes of GOD, He has given us the only sacrifice that will truly pay for our sin. He has provided Himself, when He humbled Himself and took our place on that cruel Roman cross that we might have life, His righteousness, and be reconciled to GOD through repentance and faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. The Law by itself cannot save or make any one righteous, but Christ has fulfilled the Law, and He who is our rest, makes us righteous in the eyes of GOD, new creatures in Christ, dead to the Law, to sIn, and to ourselves, to live in Him the life we are meant to live.

       As His righteous servants, not in our own righteousness which is as filthy rags, but through the washing of the Word of GOD, we minister 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. As His righteous people, the Church of GOD, holy and without blemish by the blood of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, we are to love one another as members in particular, and disciple one another in the Word of GOD that we might grow thereby. As His righteous army, not with weapons of this world or of the flesh, but with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the armour of GOD, we go where the Holy Spirit which is within us sends us, and as we go, we 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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Touching the Almighty, we cannot find Him out

5/18/2016

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Behold, GOD exalteth by His power: who teacheth like Him? Who hath enjoined Him His way? or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity? Remember that thou magnify His work, which men behold. Every man may see it; man may behold it afar off. Behold, GOD is great, and we know Him not, neither can the number of His years be searched out. (Job 36:22-26)
      Elihu continues with his comments toward Job and his friends, this time exalting GOD and proclaiming His attributes in worship and praise. Elihu might not have had every thing right, but of all Job's counselors, and Job himself, Elihu seems to be the closest to trying to explain God, His wisdom and righteousness, His holiness and understanding, all from their human experience. Job and his friends, even Elihu, had no idea about what was going on in the spiritual realm, nor did any of them really know and understand the wisdom and character of the Almighty GOD whose ways are past finding out.

     We cannot know GOD apart from His revelation of Himself, for His way are above our ways, His thoughts are above our thoughts. He is far past our understanding, and our sin has corrupted our knowledge of the Holy. Because GOD loves us He has given us not only the general revelation in creation that He is, but also the specific revelation in His Word, that which was written down which reveals Him, and when He became flesh and dwelt among us. The Scriptures speak of Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, and our Lord, who spoke all the worlds into being, has given us His Word that we might know Him.

    Those who are born again, who have repented of our sins and trusted in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary for Salvation, are called to serve, not at the will of men or conformed to this world, but doing His will and accomplishing His work in this sinful and broken world we sojourn in. We are to take the Word of righteousness and reconciliation, rightly divided and fitly spoken, to this lost and dying world as His ambassadors and minister to those around us who are hurting and in need. We are to love one another as members one of another and disciple one another that we may grow in Him and be transformed by the renewing of our minds. We are to go with the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and as we go where He directs we are 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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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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How long will it be ere ye make an end of words?

4/22/2016

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Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine. The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle shall be put out with him. The steps of his strength shall be straitened, and his own counsel shall cast him down. For he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he walketh upon a snare. (Job 18:5-8)
      Once again Bildad chimes in, and gives an incorrect application and horribly comfortless opinion of GOD'S judgment upon the wicked and concluding that Job must be wicked. He has no regard for GOD'S sovereignty or our free will, or the fact that often the wicked seem to prosper in this life, though that prosperity is temporary, and certainly does not extend into the next. Bildad, because he had no knowledge of the test and trial Job was undergoing, totally disregarded GOD's justice and timing, which is not ours, since His ways are above our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts. GOD is Holy and Just, and will punish those who disobey Him, and often times will do so in while they are on the earth. He also chastises His own, to bring them closer or back to a right relationship with Him.

       Bildad was partially right in that, some who are wicked are judged and punished in this life. Often emotionally and psychologically, if their consciences aren't seared and scarred, they fear that judgment and punishment, not usually from GOD, but from the authorities, or from others more wicked than they are. It will come, but it may not happen while they are living. When they die in their trespasses and sins, having rejected their Creator who would have redeemed them from their sins if they had repented and believed in Jesus Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, they will face Him as their Judge and receive the recompense of their reward for their sins and iniquity. There will be no mercy or grace then, for the time of GOD's wrath will be at hand.

      We who are born again from above, having been made new creatures in Christ by His blood and power, are no longer to live in our self-righteousness, but live the life in Him which He equips and empowers us to live. We are to glorify Him in all we say and do, and lift Him up before others that they might see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. We are not to seek our own way, or follow man's vision and the world's methods, but being transformed by the renewing of our mind through the Spirit and the Word of GOD, fully surrendered to Him who alone is worthy of our obedience and worship.

       We are called to serve Him in ministry, with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, as we minister to those around us who are hurting and serve those who are in need. We are commanded to love one another as He loved us and gave Himself for us, and we are to disciple one another in His Word, speaking the Truth in love, that we may grow up into Him in all things, which is the Head, even Christ. We are commissioned as witnesses unto Him who is our life to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Word of GOD to this lost and dying 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 those who believe that He is the Christ, the Son of GOD, might have life in His Name.

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

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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Thou shalt be secure because there is hope

4/13/2016

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Canst thou by searching find out GOD? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is as high as Heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. If He cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder Him? For He knoweth vain men: He seeth wickedness also; will He not then consider it? (Job 11:7-11)
     If GOD had not revealed Himself to us, first through general revelation which declares the glory of GOD and sheweth His handywork, then through His written Word and finally through His Son, the Word made flesh, we would would not know GOD nor be able to find Him. His ways are above ours and His thoughts are far above ours, so that He is too wonderful and past finding out. GOD told us of Himself that we might know Him and understand His love, mercy, and grace, and believe in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary for Salvation. He also revealed His wrath, justice, and judgement, that we might repent of our sins and be born again.

    Without Christ and His redemption, which He purchased for us on that tree, we are dead in our trespasses and sins, our wickedness separates us from GOD who is holy and perfect. We may be as good as the next guy, and better than some, but we can never measure up to the only standard by which GOD can measure anyone: Himself. Without His righteousness we are lost and under the wrath of GOD for our sins, but GOD loves us so much and wants us to be with Him that He provided the only way for those who are separated from Him to be redeemed and reconciled, Himself.

      GOD has redeemed His Church that we might share Him with everyone as we grow in Him and fellowship with Him and with each other. He has called us to service, representing Him to this lost and dying world with the Word of righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, as we minister to those around us who are hurting and in need. Our Lord has commanded us to we love one another as He has loved us, and to disciple one another in His Word that we might grow in Him. Jesus has commissioned His people to witness of Him with the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit, and as we go where He leads us and to whom He sends us to, proclaiming the Good News of forgiveness of sin 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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Shew me wherefore Thou contendest with me

4/12/2016

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Are Thy days as the days of man? are Thy years as man's days, That Thou enquirest after mine iniquity, and searchest after my sin? Thou knowest that I am not wicked; and there is none that can deliver out of Thine hand. Thine hands have made me and fashioned me together round about; yet Thou dost destroy me. Remember, I beseech thee, that Thou hast made me as the clay; and wilt Thou bring me into dust again? (Job 10:5-9)
      GOD is not like us, nor are His ways and thoughts like ours. He is outside of time, for He created time, and He is eternal. He is without error or sin, for He is Holy and just. He is all knowing and all powerful, however, there are things He allows and directs, for our correcting or testing, which seem on the surface to be outside His character and nature, but bring about His purposes of conforming us to His image. He also, while still in control for He is Sovereign, allows many things to happen without direct involvement in this broken and dying world. That is not to say that He cannot direct such things, or that any thing that happens is not because He is accomplishing His plans, ways, and purposes, but it is to acknowledge that while He is Lord everything that occurs is not a directed act of GOD in this sinful and broken world suffering under the curse of sin which man brought upon himself.

    GOD can and does test us, and can remove us from this world at His discretion, for He is Lord of all. The bigger reality is that death has come upon all men, as a result of Adam's sin, because all men sin. GOD has already judged sin and this world and without Christ all are already under condemnation for sin. But Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, came as a man, lived a sinless life in complete obedience to the Father, even to the Cross, and paid our sin debt as a perfect and holy sacrifice for all sin and a ransom for many. All those that recognize and acknowledge their sin before GOD, repent of that sin and turn to GOD and His mercy, and receive Jesus Christ by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary for Salvation are made new creatures in Christ, their sins removed, not just covered as Job's were, but as far as the east is from the west removed. That is not a license to sin, but victory and redemption in and through Christ Jesus our Lord.

     GOD wants all of His people to live that victorious life in Him, forgiven and freed from sin, that we might accomplish His will and do His work while we are strangers in this world and His ambassadors to it. We are called to minister to others around us who are hurting and in need, with the Word of righteousness and reconciliation, rightly divided and fitly spoken,that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. We are commanded to love one another and to disciple one another in His Word that we might grow thereby and all come into the full measure of Him who first loved us. We are commissioned to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit wherever He sends us, and as we go in obedience to Him proclaim the Good News of forgiveness of sin through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son that those who believe that He is the Christ might have life in His Name.

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

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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