Personal Thoughts and Ministry

God has made foolish the wisdom of this world

2/28/2014

Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. (Jas 3:13-18)

The wisdom of this world that tells us to "get all we can, can all we get, and sit on the can", is not of GOD. We as children of GOD must live as dead to ourselves and alive to Christ, in the wisdom that He provides from His Spirit and from His Word. Holy lives showing His presence within us and the knowledge and wisdom that is from above. It does not mean living lives of poverty to show ourselves 'spiritual', nor does it mean living lives in excess and opulence just because we can. We must be content with what GOD blesses us with, and us all for His Glory.

We are no longer to be living as we did before Christ. We now live and breathe and have our being in Christ, and speak His Word and wisdom, while showing His love, mercy and grace to those around us. We are commanded to be His witnesses. We must tell them the Good News of Jesus Christ which is the only Hope of Salvation.

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. Believe His Word and receive Him by faith in His finished work on the Cross of Calvary for your sIn debt and you will be born again. 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. Real peace and forgiveness from the Prince of Peace and His Salvation.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

I delight myself in Thy Commandments

2/27/2014

If ye fulfil the royal Law according to the Scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the Law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For He that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the Law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. (Jas 2:8-12)

James here tells us that the Law of GOD still applies to how we live a life that is pleasing to GOD. We don't keep the Law in order to gain favor, or receive Salvation, for that only comes through faith in Christ. However, we do keep the tenants of the Law because that is what GOD expects, and the commandments speak to how we relate to GOD and how we relate to our fellow man, whether in the Church or not.

Our behavior and thoughts as Christians must reflect the perfect Law of Liberty so that GOD is glorified in us. We must earn the right to be heard, and show others that because of Christ in us, there is a difference between the world and us, and between what we once were before Christ, and what we are now. Holiness and righteousness come from Christ in us, and we seek Him and follow Him in all that we do, so that others might look to Christ and live. We also tell those around us of His love, mercy and grace, and of the Good News of Salvation through Jesus Christ because that too is a command from GOD.

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. Believe His Word and receive Him by faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, and you will be born again. 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. The Law does not provide for mercy or forgiveness, but Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the Law and paid your sIn debt stands ready to save.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

Faith is the victory

2/26/2014

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of GOD: for GOD cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth He any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sIn: and sIn, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. (Jas 1:12-15)

Our daily walk with our Lord will sometimes lead through trials and temptations. This is not the Lord's doing, but a result of our disobedience in Adam and this sinful and broken world we now sojourn through on our way to the Heavenly city. GOD uses the temptations of this world to reveal our faults, and to show us areas of our lives that still need work as we grow in grace and are conformed to the image of His dear Son.

Victory will be rewarded, and we overcome temptations through the blood of Jesus Christ and not in our own strength. When we allow that old nature of sIn to once again take hold, we are drawn away from the purity and righteousness of Christ, but there is Hope. If we confess our sIn, He is faithful and will forgive those that repent and surrender to Him on His terms, just as we did when we were born again.

We must stand strong in His Word, in our faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, and in the Spirit of GOD, looking unto Jesus the Author and finisher of our faith. One day He will return and take us out of this world and to our Heavenly Home to be with Him and sIn will no longer be present in us. He has already removed the penalty, and can overcome the power. That is the Good News that we must tell all who will hear. Salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ is the victory that overcomes the world.

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. Believe His Word and trust Him for forgiveness and Salvation and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. Receive Him and His victory over sIn and death.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

The GOD of Peace make you perfect in every good work

2/25/2014

Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body. Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers GOD will judge. Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. (Heb 13:3-6)

As the author of Hebrews finishes here, he gives a series of instructions and closing comments about our behavior and attitudes. It is a reminder that since Christ is more excellent than all else, and faith in GOD is necessary and required then obedience and holiness is an expected part of the Christian life.

We are to live in obedience to His Word, making a clear and distinct difference between those of us who are in Christ, and those who are of this lost and dying world. If the world can't tell the difference how can they see their need of Him. We are to shine in the darkness, and be salt in this world that they might see, and be thirsty for the living water that only GOD provides.

Until the day Jesus Christ comes back, first for His own, and then to judge this earth and rule and reign His millennial Kingdom, we are to go and tell all who will hear of the love, mercy, and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. But, they must see it make a difference in the life we now life for Christ. We are to be dead to ourselves, and alive in Christ, and then when we have earned the right to be heard we can share what GOD is doing in us and the message of Hope and Salvation that is the Good News of Jesus Christ.

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 Him that is real and personal. Believe His Word and trust His sacrifice in your place for forgiveness, and you will be born again. 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. Receive Him by faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary for Salvation today.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

Jesus the Captain of our Salvation

2/24/2014

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the Author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the Throne of GOD. For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. (Heb 12:1-3)

Knowing the testimony of the great heroes of the faith, and the accounts of their lives and trust in GOD we, as children of the Heavenly King, must be about our Father's business. We are to follow our Commander into the battle He has already won, and with the Word of GOD and the Spirit of GOD to guide us disciple one another and reach the lost who desperately need Him.

The Cross of Calvary is what separates the sinner from the saint. While the preaching of that cross is foolishness to those that perish, to us who are saved it is the power of GOD. It is a message of Hope. It is a promise of deliverance. It is a testimony to the Love of GOD. Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son went humbly and willingly to the cross to pay the sIn debt in our place that we might have life and Salvation 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. Trust Him for forgiveness and 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. He paid it all, and wants you to receive Him by faith in His finished and perfect work on that cruel roman cross. Believe His Word and be born again today.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

Stand fast in the faith

2/21/2014

Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh; And having an High Priest over the House of GOD; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the Day approaching. (Heb 10:19-25)

Because of Jesus Christ, we who are covered by His blood, have boldness to stand before the Father. We do so, not in our own merit or righteousness, but because of Him. Let us therefore stand firmly in the grace that has cleansed us and proclaim His forgiveness, mercy and love to those around us who have not heard or surrendered to Him on His terms and been born again.

We come together as often as the Spirit calls us, and fellowship one to another in discipleship under the Head of the Church, Jesus Christ, because we are brothers and sisters in Christ. We who are one with Christ, are to encourage and exhort one another unto the good works which God would have us do. Engaging and Enabling people to enjoy Jesus Christ is not just a slogan, it must be a way of life for GOD's people.

We are to stand strong, firm in the Word, faithful in fellowship, and bold to proclaim His Good News of Salvation to this lost and dying world. We cannot keep what He has given us. Even as we grow in grace and the knowledge of the Lord, in study of His Word, we are to take His message of peace, hope, and forgiveness out to those who need it most.

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. Believe His Word and receive Him by faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary and be born again. 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. He is waiting for you to trust Him with His free offer of Salvation.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

There is Power in the Blood

2/20/2014

But Christ being come an High Priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect Tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered in once into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to GOD, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living GOD? (Heb 9:11-14)

Our great High Priest, Jesus Christ, who offered Himself as a perfect sacrifice in our place is now glorified and sitting at the right Hand of our GOD and Father. He went willingly and humbly obedient to that cruel Roman cross, to pay the price for sIn we cannot pay, and obtained our Salvation. His sinless offering was accepted, and now we have boldness to approach the Throne of Grace through His blood. Praise our living Lord, Redeemer, and King.

All those years of sacrifice that had to be repeated only point to our Saviour. But, He entered once into the Heavenly Holy Place before His Father, and having the only offering that could be accepted, His blood was sufficient. He offers that great salvation to all who will come, and surrender to Him on His terms and be born again. We who know Jesus Christ have a command and commission to go and tell all about the love (and judgment) of GOD, and the grace whereby we are saved.

For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with Him that is real and personal. Trust Him and receive His free offer of Salvation by faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to be born again. 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. He has paid your sIn debt, with His own blood, and freely offers Salvation and forgiveness to you.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

Jesus Christ the Mediator of the New Covenant

2/19/2014

But now hath He obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also He is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. For finding fault with them, He saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in My covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. (Heb 8:6-9)

Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, purchased and sanctified the new covenant with His blood. His willing and freely offered sacrifice in our place provides the way to the Father that none of us can earn or achieve on our own.

Jesus didn't come to replace the old covenant but to fulfill it and being the only one who kept the whole law He alone is worthy to offer Himself for the sIn of the world. He is the Lamb of GOD slain from the foundation of the world. The seed of the woman foretold in the Old Testament, establishes the covenant in the New Testament.

While He came unto His own, His own rejected Him, but to those of us who have received Him by faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, is now Salvation freely given by repentance and trust in the only Name whereby we are saved. And there is coming a day, when GOD will turn His attention back to Israel, for He has not abandoned that nation, and Israel and Judah will be redeemed as a nation during the final conflict. He is waiting for all who will come to surrender to Him on His terms.

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. Trust Him and believe His Word to be born again, and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. Receive Him today.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

Jesus Christ our Great High Priest

2/18/2014

And inasmuch as not without an oath He was made Priest: (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by Him that said unto Him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:) By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this Man, because He continueth ever, hath an unchangeable Priesthood. Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto GOD by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Heb 7:20-25)

Our great High Priest, who ever lives to make intercession for us. Jesus Christ, sitting at the right hand of the Father. Standing up for His own, when the accusations fly. Correcting His people when necessary through the work of the Holy Spirit.

He is the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son and He does not change. He has purchased our redemption on the Cross of Calvary and has given us eternal life. Not a future event, but a brand new life in Him that is abundant and everlasting. His royal Priesthood is not temporary, like the priests of old, but a continuous Priesthood sworn by the Father. He offered Himself, and was accepted as a Holy Sacrifice for the sIn of the whole world.

But not everyone has accepted that free gift of forgiveness and righteousness in Christ offered to them. We are to tell everyone of the hope that is in us, sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ, and His story of redemption and Salvation in His Name. Everyone needs to hear that no matter what they have done, no matter how far away from GOD they are, He can Save them.

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. Believe His Word and 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. Receive Him by faith in His finished and perfect work on that cruel Roman cross and He, who lives and reigns, will give you His Salvation which shall never end.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

Looking for our Blessed Hope

2/17/2014

For when GOD made promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no greater, He sware by Himself, Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. Wherein GOD, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for GOD to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; (Heb 6:13-19)

Great is our GOD. He cannot lie, and all His promises will come to pass exactly as He has said. He has, and will continue to do so, blessed Abraham and Abraham's seed. Those of us, who by reason of our faith have been grafted into the family of GOD, are still being blessed. Until GOD is done, and all who will come to Him on His terms have done so, we do the Lord's work and will, taking the message of hope in Christ to this lost and dying world.

Just as Abraham believed GOD, and it was accounted to him for righteousness, so we trust Him for our Salavation, and He will not fail us. His Word will not pass, and it cannot fail, so we can rely on its precepts for life, liberty, and virtue.

We who are in Christ, study His Word to disciple one another, and share His message of forgiveness with those that need to hear from GOD. We are commanded to tell the nations, and we must begin at our neighborhoods, our workplaces, our schools, and everywhere we go. As we go, we are to tell all who will hear of the Good News of Jesus Christ.

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. Believe His Word and trust His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary for your redemption and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. Just as He blessed Abraham, so will He bless you when you are born again by faith in His Name.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

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