Personal Thoughts and Ministry

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says

3/31/2014

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. (Rev 3:15-19)

GOD wants His children to be on mission for Him, focused on that which is important to the Kingdom and of eternal consequences. He will chastise those who are not, even though it grieves Him that they are so. To be indifferent to the spiritual condition of those around us who are lost and destined for a devil's Hell is the hight of arrogance and apathy and it makes GOD sick.

Are we too enamored with the things of this world, that we no longer care about what GOD cares about? We must repent, get our focus back on GOD and the things of GOD and use what GOD has given us for His Kingdom and mission. He has commanded us, and commissioned us to take His message of love, hope, mercy and grace to this lost and dying world. We must have the true Gospel, and not shorten it, or adulterate it, and then proclaim it wherever we go, to whomever we meet so that they may hear and believe, and believing 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. Acknowledge your sIn and believe His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary is sufficient for forgiveness of that sIn and receive Him by faith. Trust Him and 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 for Salvation and begin your eternal life today.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

I AM the Door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved

3/28/2014

I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept My Word, and hast not denied My Name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Because thou hast kept the Word of My patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of My GOD, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the Name of My GOD, and the name of the city of My GOD, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from My GOD: and I will write upon him My new Name. (Rev 3:8-12)

Our Lord knows us and knows what is best for us. When He opens a door for ministry, for service, or for witnessing we are to be obedient to His Word and His Spirit and go where He leads. We may have struggles in this world, and many opportunities that the Lord puts before us will require sacrifice and perseverance, but He is faithful and will not give us more than we can bear. We can do all things He has for us in His strength and power.

He wants us to minister to those that are hurting, in service and in love, while not condoning their sinful lifestyle, we reach out to show them the Saviour who can deliver them. He wants us to disciple one another, so we can all grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord, while being conformed to the image of His dear Son. He wants us to witness to this lost and dying world, sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ so they may believe, and believing 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. Believe His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary was sufficient for your sIn 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 is the door, and He invites you to step into eternal life through faith in His Name.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

Revive us again, Oh LORD

3/27/2014

These things saith He that hath the seven Spirits of GOD, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before GOD. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before His angels. (Rev 3:1-5)

We are to live the name of Christ, to be called Christian not because of ourselves, but because we truly are 'little Christs', full of the Spirit and dead to our own desires and agendas. We are to watch and be sober, guarding our hearts and His Words, holding fast to that which is good. We are to prove all things through the lens of His Word and see all for what it is and how GOD sees it. We are to walk in Christ, in His Word, showing the world of our Saviour, and their need for Him.

We seek revival and yet don't do the things that GOD requires for revival to come. We seek the Salvation of the lost, but they won't come to Christ unless the Spirit draws them when we lift up Jesus Christ, in our lives, our hearts, our behavior, and our conversations. For GOD's revival to come to GOD's Church, GOD's people must be in Christ, seeking His face and living in and through Him. His children must be repentant, acknowledging our sIn as an offense to our Holy GOD. We must be continually filled, not drunk and out of control, but controlled by the Holy Spirit. We must be broken before the Throne of GOD, useful for the Master. We must be obedient to GOD and His Word, to do all that GOD has commanded. Then He will revive His people, so they can be on mission for Him, to minister to the hurting, disciple one another, and share His message of Hope to this lost and dying 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 finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary was sufficient for your sIn and surrender to GOD on His terms, receiving Jesus Christ for forgiveness and Salvation and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. Stop trusting in yourself, and let Him write your name down in the Lamb's book of Life for all eternity.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

Broken before the Throne of GOD

3/26/2014

I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth My works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of My Father. And I will give him the morning star. (Rev 2:19-20, 24-28)

This is where the Church of GOD has gone wrong. We have not separated ourselves from and forsaken the things of this world as we ought to have done and been holy as He is Holy. We have not held fast to that which we had, the Word of GOD and His power to accomplish that which He commands us to do. We have not done the works of GOD by the Spirit of GOD and GOD has much to say against us.

But be not discouraged, for GOD is faithful and can use us despite our failures. He doesn't throw the clay away, but it is in our brokenness before Him that makes us useful to the Kingdom. It is in our weakness and dependence upon Him that He can show Himself strong on behalf of His people. Oh, that we would humble ourselves, get out of the way, and let GOD be who He is, Lord of all, in and through us.

The people of GOD are called to live holy, humble, and honest lives in, through, and for Christ that others may know, that believers will be encouraged and discipled in the ways of GOD, and all people may be ministered to and experience the love of GOD and in all things GOD is glorified by His obedient and submissive children. We must return to Him, seek His face, surrender our sIn and prepare our hearts and minds to go out and tell this lost and dying world of the difference that GOD can make in their eternal destiny because of forgiveness of sIn and Salvation through faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary.

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 turn from your sIn and to Him, and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. Believe His Word and trust Him for forgiveness and Salvation by faith in what He has done for you on that cruel Roman cross and receive Him today.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

The Lord shall judge His people

3/25/2014

I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast My Name, and hast not denied My faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the Sword of My mouth. (Rev 2:13-16)

Our Lord knows us for He is GOD and knows all things. As Creator He made us and knows our strengths and weaknesses, as Judge He knows our hearts and our minds, as our Redeemer He knows our desires and intents. As the God-man, He has experienced every temptation we face and has overcome. He has been there and He knows. Praise Him for His power and presence to live in the Spirit for Him.

We are called and commanded to continually be filled with His Spirit and remain faithful and obedient to Him and to hear His Word and do it. To put away the things which He has shown us are sinful and disobedient, to reconcile with one another in the bonds of love, and to take His message of grace and mercy to this lost and dying world.

We are to be separate from this world. It is not our Home, we are pilgrims and strangers here, members of another family and Kingdom, ambassadors of GOD and our Saviour to show and tell this world of our Redeemer and His free gift of forgiveness and Salvation that they might hear and believe, and believing have Life in His Name.

For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and be born again, and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. Turn away from your sIn and the things that Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son hates and receive Him by faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary in your place. Believe His Word for Salvation today.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

He maketh intercession for the saints

3/24/2014

These things saith the First and the Last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. (Rev 2:8-10)

Jesus Christ, The Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, who was there in the beginning and spoke the worlds into being, our Saviour and King gave Himself for us, and now lives forevermore to make intercession for the saints until His coming again to rule and reign on this earth for a thousand years.

He knows what we are going through, He knows our weaknesses and our needs. He knows our failures and our mistakes, He knows our enemies, and nothing surprises Him. If we are going through it, it means He allowed it, or directed it. Whether natural or man-made, whatever crisis or trouble comes our way it is because of this sinful broken world that is no longer perfect, for our growth and testing, and all for His glory. We praise Him in all things, we worship Him for His strength to endure and overcome, we tell others of Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary and the Good News of how His Salvation has made a difference in the life we now live in Him so they might hear and believe.

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 what He has already done for you on that cruel Roman cross, surrendering 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 wants you to be born again and have the riches of grace through forgiveness and Salvation in His Name.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

Hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches

3/21/2014

I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for My Name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. (Rev 2:2-6)

Our Lord's first letter was written to a faithful but erring church. Whether you believe this letter covers a representative church, or a historical time period in the history of all churches or both, there are things here in this letter we can all learn from.

While commending this congregation for their faithfulness and their ministry, our Lord cautions them to remember the Foundation of grace, mercy, and love. He also commends them for their discernment even while instructing them to get back to whence they came.

Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son is the Head of His Church, and we must focus on Him. We study His Word to learn of Him and grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord. We share His Word to disciple one another and provoke one another unto good works. We preach His Word so that others may hear and believe and have life in His Name. We live His Word so that GOD is glorified in us, and this world may see Christ in us, the Hope of Glory, and want the new life in Christ that we have and be saved.

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, believing that His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary is sufficient to pay your sIn debt and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. Trust Him for forgiveness and receive Him by faith for Salvation today.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed

3/20/2014

And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and His hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and His eyes were as a flame of fire; And His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and His voice as the sound of many waters. And He had in His right hand seven stars: and out of His mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and His countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. (Rev 1:13-16)

The glorious image of our risen Lord, who rules for ever, as He appeared to John in the Revelation He gave to His servant. Jesus Christ, glorified and appearing in all His Majesty, displayed His perfect holiness, regal righteousness and just judgment for all who hear and understand what He said and revealed unto John.

We who are His are to look to Him, not only as our Saviour who is GOD in the flesh, not only as our friend that sticketh closer than a brother, but also as our ruling and reigning King of kings and Lord of lords. We worship His Majesty even as we share His love, mercy, and grace with those around us who need to hear of Him. We praise Him for His providence and His Salvation, but we also warn those that do not know Him and have never received Him by faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary of the judgment to come.

He has already judged this world because of sIn, He will also judge those who have rejected Him, not for their sIn for we are all guilty and already condemned for our rebellion against Him, but for their rejection of the only One who can save them from their sins. Only the Cross of Calvary can provide us, not a loophole, or an excuse to sin all we want, but a pardon from the Judge who loves us and knows we cannot redeem ourselves.

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 His sacrificial death on that cruel Roman cross in your place 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 the free gift of Salvation He offers to you today.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

The glorious Gospel of the blessed GOD

3/19/2014

But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of GOD, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His Glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise GOD our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. (Jud 1:20-25)

The Spirit of GOD guides us into all Truth and points us to Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son will present those who are His to the Father because of the blood He shed at Calvary. GOD our Father is glorified in His children and blessed forever more. Our GOD is worthy of our worship and praise for who He is and all that He has done, is doing, and will do for us.

Our purpose once GOD has saved us from our sIn is to tell others of what GOD has done for us that they might believe and have life in His Name. We do so by studying His Word to learn of Him and grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ until His coming again. We preach Jesus Christ crucified and risen again, the Power of GOD unto Salvation. We speak the Truth in Love, warning the unruly, that they might repent and be reconciled to the Holy and Righteous Judge whom all men will stand before.

All will stand either in Christ, or in their own unrighteousness, because of the choice they made to receive or reject Jesus Christ. But, 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 finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary is sufficient to pay your sIn debt, and receive Him by faith in what He has done for you and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. Surrender to Him on His terms and trust Jesus Christ and His free offer of Salvation and forgiveness in His Name.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

Your love may abound unto the glory and praise of GOD

3/18/2014

For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;
Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of GOD: but he that doeth evil hath not seen GOD. (3Jn 1:3-5, 11)

The greatest testimony to what GOD is doing in a Christians life is when others tell of what they have seen and heard. Whether it is discipleship and encouragement to the members of the Church, or ministry and love with the Gospel to those without; we are to give as GOD provides, serve Him with the gifts that He has given, and share His Word to every person and give GOD all the Glory.

Worship of our Father in giving, serving, and sharing while we show Him to others will show Jesus Christ, the Hope of Glory to those around us. Sacrificial offerings He can use to further His Kingdom, not just in money, but time, possessions, and even ourselves, for it all belongs to GOD and He is the real Master we serve. We preach the Gospel for it is the power of GOD unto Salvation for everyone who believes. We minister to the needs of our community as GOD guides and provides us opportunities. We offer back to GOD of what He has blessed us with, using any and all occasions to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ to all we encounter.

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 sacrificial death on the Cross in your place was sufficient to pay your sIn debt and surrender to GOD on His terms for forgiveness of your sIn 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 and His Salvation today.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

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