Personal Thoughts and Ministry

This world is not our Home

4/30/2013

Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but My salvation shall be for ever, and My righteousness shall not be abolished. Hearken unto Me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is My Law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings. For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but My righteousness shall be for ever, and My salvation from generation to generation. (Isaiah 51:6-8)

When the heavens themselves are vanished, and this earth is no more we who are truly safe in Christ because we have been born again by faith and filled with the Holy Spirit shall be safe in His arms. What a promise, what a joy to know that He will never leave us or forsake us even to the end of the world. His salvation, which began the moment we repented and received His life for our crucified life, will last forever. He is performing a good work in His children, who sit at His feet, and learn of Him from His Word, all the while becoming more like Him. His righteousness has replaced our filthy rags and made us fit for Heaven, not in some future by-and-by, but now as we walk in obedience and discipleship. He pours out His love in and through those of us who are truly His and shows Himself faithful to those that await His return.

While we wait, we endure the trials that come from living His life in this sinful broken world that we messed up. We can stand against those that rail against His Church, for their words are empty noise as they shake their fist in the face of an Almighty GOD who loves them, despite their sIn, but cannot accept them as sinners into His presence. We don't fear them, for we reverence and worship our Creator GOD who cares for us. All their works will burn up, and pass away with the winds of judgment, but GOD is gracious to those that turn from their sIn and surrender to Him on His terms.

If you are one who is not yet free from your sIn, that is separated from GOD, He wants you to know that you don't have to be. He wants to give you this abundant life that He paid for on that cruel Roman Cross. Jesus is alive and His Word tells us that He came to seek and to save those that are lost. Believe and receive Him by faith that your sins may be blotted out, and your name written in the Lamb's Book of Life. Trust His salvation and begin the journey of discipleship that is life in Christ, full, abundant and everlasting.

For the family of faith, Jesus commanded us to tell others the good news of Jesus Christ and His love.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

What wondrous love is this

4/29/2013

The Lord GOD hath opened Mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. I gave My back to the smiters, and My cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not My face from shame and spitting. For the Lord GOD will help Me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set My face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with Me? let us stand together: who is Mine adversary? let him come near to Me. (Isaiah 50:5-8)

What shame and despising our Lord endured for us. To bear all the sIn of the world was His steadfast purpose, but the indignation and humiliation along the way was more than most men could stand. But our Lord not only endured but stood strong till the end, even when He could no longer carry the heavy cross up the road to Calvary. His Father never left Him, was always near and even when all the sIn of the world and all the wrath of GOD in judgment were poured out on Christ in our place they were never apart. What wondrous love is this that Jesus Christ would, in obedience to GOD willingly and humbly take our place on a cruel Roman cross.

But what Glory there is, for every believer knows that the story doesn't end at the Cross, for Jesus didn't stay in the grave. He is not dead, He is risen. His resurrection is our hope, for those of us in Christ will one day rise to be with Him. We are alive in Him and He in us, We are crucified with Christ and will be resurrected and glorified just as He is. That is our message of hope, but it is a message that includes discipleship and obedience in this life until that day. We are not called to salvation only to sin and disobedience to GOD's Word. We are called to a new life of service and love; to GOD and to others, in obedience to GOD and His Word.

Those of you who are not yet a part of the family of GOD, for you have never surrendered to GOD on His terms and been born again, GOD calls you as well. He calls you to repent, that is turn from your sIn, that separates you from a Holy and Righteous GOD and turn to Him in faith, believing that He has already paid your sIn debt. Receive Him by faith today and be saved to a life of discipline and obedience that is abundant and full and will last forever.

If you are a child of GOD, rejoice in Him and proclaim His love to those you meet.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

Practicing Disciple or Practical Atheist?

4/26/2013

Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail. Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee. Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: there shall not be a coal to warm at, nor fire to sit before it. (Isaiah 47:12-14)

GOD condemns those that put their trust in anything or anyone other than Himself. Only Jesus Saves. Judah and Israel knew that GOD was their only salvation as a people and as a nation but chose to live as practical atheists and idolaters. GOD challenged them to rely on these false systems and see what their hope was in. Their false gods couldn't even save themselves, let alone the people of Israel.

It is no different for many in the Church today. GOD's People; who are saved by grace and redeemed from their sIn, live like He doesn't have a part in their daily lives. Many (and some are not actually born again) who profess Christ, worship on Sunday, and then worry on Monday. They pray on Weds, and 'party' on Friday. And while none of us are perfect (but seen as such because we are in Christ) we who are disciples of Christ are not to try to live our life without Jesus Christ. We are to be crucified with Christ, and Christ lives within us. His Holy Spirit guides us and teaches us, through His Word and through other disciples that have gone before us. We are not to look to this world and its false systems for answers, or for 'salvation' in this world or the next.

All those outside the Church, who are not of the body, cannot yet rely on GOD because you do not yet know Him. He is not willing that any should perish but wants you to come to the knowledge of the truth. The truth that He loves you enough that He took your place, and paid for your sIn, on a cruel Roman Cross that you might have life and have more abundantly. A new life in Jesus Christ as a disciple of His that is free and everlasting. Believe His Word and receive Him by faith today.

If you are one of His disciples, live for Him and in Him that He might be glorified in your life.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

I AM GOD, There is none like Me

4/25/2013

To whom will ye liken Me, and make Me equal, and compare Me, that We may be like? They lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, and hire a goldsmith; and he maketh it a god: they fall down, yea, they worship. They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yea, one shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble. Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors. Remember the former things of old: for I AM GOD, and there is none else; I AM GOD, and there is none like Me, (Isaiah 46:5-9)

GOD has Isaiah repeat it once again because Israel had such a problem with idolatry, that He alone is GOD, in three (Think multiplication); GOD the Father, GOD the Son, and GOD the Holy Spirit are all GOD and GOD is One. No idol made with hands is anything, and yet Israel continued until after the Captivity to turn to other 'gods' which are no gods. We in the Church can do so as well, if we are not careful to focus on Christ, we can make the things of life, or work, or even our worship become an idol when we put in front of, or in the place of GOD and the true worship He requires of us.

Israel did not learn this lesson until the nation had been overthrown, the temple destroyed, and the people taken captive just as GOD through Isaiah had continually warned them would happen. GOD in our day, also warns us of the chastisement that will come on those of His that stray from the path of discipleship we walk with Him. He will use what it takes to bring us back into His arms, just as He did to bring us to Salvation in Christ. We must focus on Him, through His Word, and continue our daily growth through the guidance of the Holy Spirit and those He puts in our path.

For the unbeliever who has never trusted Jesus Christ for forgiveness of sIn, and justification before the Father; GOD is not willing that anyone should perish and wants you to repent of your sIn and surrender to Him on His terms. He loves you enough that He took your place, and paid for your sIn and if you believe His Word, and receive Him by faith He will save you, and give you a brand new life as His disciple that is abundant and everlasting.

If you are one of His children, proclaim His goodness and mercy to those you meet.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

There is no GOD beside Me

4/24/2013

I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no GOD beside Me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known Me: That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside Me. I am the LORD, and there is none else. I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things. Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it. (Isaiah 45:5-8)

GOD is GOD. He is still in control and nothing surprises Him. Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the Creator of all things cares for us, and through His Word we have Life. Not just a future life with Christ, but an everlasting life in Christ that began the moment Jesus saved us and the Holy Spirit moved in. We see His acts of mercy renewed each morning, and praise Him for His day in the evening. He is before all things, and only by His righteousness can we stand in the presence of our Father in Heaven. His salvation by grace through faith alone atones for our sIn. Give Him Honour, Glory and Praise for all His mighty works on behalf of His children.

As Lord of the universe, Jesus can and does use pagan kings and leaders to accomplish His will. For Israel He used Cyrus to restore and rebuild what had been destroyed. For the Church, He uses false teachers to test them, and pagan countries to try and purify His Church.

If you don't know Jesus because you have never been born again by faith in His finished work on the Cross of Calvary, surrender to GOD on His terms and repent of your sIn that separates you from a Holy and Righteous GOD who has already judged our sIn and declared us guilty. But GOD is not willing that any should perish, but wants you to repent and be forgiven that you may experience His new life in you and for you. An everlasting life that begins a journey of discipleship and fellowship with His Church because of the relationship you have with Jesus.

If you are truly His, trust Him as King of Kings and be obedient to His Word.

The Great I AM

4/23/2013

Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and His redeemer the LORD of Hosts; I AM the first, and I AM the last; and beside Me there is no GOD. And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for Me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them. Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a GOD beside Me? yea, there is no GOD; I know not any. They that make a graven image are all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they are their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed. (Isaiah 44:6-9)

GOD, who has existed from before the beginning is aware of all. Nothing catches Him by surprise. There are no other GODs. He is first, before all things; He is last, will exist when all else is gone. And only those that are truly in Christ by faith in His finished work on the Cross of Calvary will be with Him. His children are safe in His arms. Whether it is the nation of Israel that GOD chose, not because they were the biggest, but because GOD knows the end from the beginning and has had only one plan for Salvation, or His Church, the Body of Christ; GOD protects, cares and secures those that are His . He has watched over Israel throughout History, and is not done with the nation yet. When the time of the Gentiles is done, and the Church is taken out of the way, GOD will once again raise up Israel as the standard bearer for His Word.

But those that oppose GOD, those that are not yet born again, those that have never received Jesus Christ are already guilty before a righteous and holy GOD that must punish sIn. But, GOD is not willing that any should perish but calls everyone everywhere to repent and come to the knowledge of the Truth. The truth that Jesus is GOD, that He became a man, and went willingly to the Cross because He loves you and wants you to be saved. Surrender to Him on His terms and receive a brand new life that is anchored in Christ and a life of discipleship that will last forever.

If your life is truly hid in Christ and you are one of His, proclaim His Gospel to all you meet.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

Jesus Saves, I am a witness.

4/22/2013

Ye are My witnesses, saith the LORD, and My servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He: before Me there was no god formed, neither shall there be after Me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside Me there is no Saviour. I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are My witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am GOD. Yea, before the day was I am He; and there is none that can deliver out of My hand: I will work, and who shall let it? (Isaiah 43:10-13)

Israel was during that day, and will be again a witness to GOD. His power, His grace and His salvation both nationally and personally. In this time of the Gentiles, the Church is to be His witness of what He has done, and what He will do. We are (all of us, not just the preacher) to proclaim His Word boldly, preach His Gospel consistently, and prayerfully live and work in Him and He in us as we work out our salvation.

Our unbelief, and our disobedience to GOD's Word may interrupt GOD's perfect plan for someone's salvation, but it will not prevent it. Only their unbelief and unwillingness to repent and surrender to GOD on His terms will keep them from being saved. Just as we, at some point believed and received Jesus Christ by faith, so must each person understand their need for Him and be born again for themselves. We cannot do it for them, all we can do is tell them of the love of GOD, after we have lived the Gospel we believe, as best we can with GOD's help so that they may hear and respond.

If you are reading this and wondering what it is all about, it may be because you have never experienced the new birth that GOD has freely offered. He is not willing that any should perish and wants you to come to the knowledge of the Truth. The truth of GOD's Word, and that He loves you so much that He willingly took on the form of a man, and went to the Cross of Calvary for your sIn that has separated you from Him. He wants you to be with Him, to experience a new and eternal life, now and always. Believe Jesus Christ and be saved today.

If you are one of His, be the witness for Him that He wants you to be.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

The Race already won

4/19/2013

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting GOD, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of His understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isa 40:28-31)

Waiting on the Lord does not mean we sit and wait until He does something, it means serving Him. Just as a waiter does all things required of him as he serves the people he waits on, so we must observe to do GOD's will in service to our King. We can't sit on the pew and wait for GOD to move, He is already at work and we are to serve in the Church He is building. Not the bricks and mortar for that is just the building we meet in, but the Living Church which is His body. Each of us, as equipped by GOD with gifts as He has pleased is to do the will and work that He has for us.

When we are in His will, and completely relying on His strength He provides the power and we can overcome the storms that come just as the eagle does when it flies into the storm to get above it. When we rest in Jesus and carry His burden we will run with patience the race that is set before us. When we walk with the Lord and delight in His Word, what a glory He sheds on our way.

IF you are not one of His, because you are not yet born again He calls you to repent; that is surrender to GOD on His terms. He is not willing that any should perish but that all would come to the knowledge of the truth. The truth that is in His Word, that He loves you and wants you to receive Him by faith in His finished work on the Cross of Calvary. Believe Him and be saved today.

If you are part of the Body of Christ, His true Church lay your burdens at His feet, crucified and take up your cross and follow Him.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

All that we have is His

4/18/2013

Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the Word of the LORD of Hosts: Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD. And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon. Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, Good is the Word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. He said moreover, For there shall be peace and truth in my days. (Isaiah 39:5-8)

Hezekiah showed off all the treasure of Isreal to the Babylonians, even his house and might. He revealed all of Israel to a foreign, pagan, and powerful nation. GOD had Isaiah tell Hezekiah that because of what he had done, the Babylonians would come and all would be taken, even his children would be enslaved by the nation that Hezekiah boasted and showed off to. Hezekiah's response to Isaiah was that it was good that it wouldn't happen to him.

What an arrogant and callous view. He had no thought for the nation, or his children as long as his 'legacy' of peace and 'truth' was intact while he was on the throne. He had recovered from a deadly illness by the grace of GOD, and then pridefully boasted to foreigners of all His wealth and strength.

How often we who are leaders in the church can get as puffed up with our own knowledge or position and think we have done something, when it is GOD that has done it all. We can lose sight of the fact that everything we have comes from Him and we who are in the Church can do nothing apart from Christ. GOD empowers His people through His Holy Spirit, who is not just a force but GOD Himself, and we crucify ourselves daily in order for GOD to be glorified in our lives, our ministry, and His Church.

The lost person who has never received Jesus Christ by faith is not capable of truly serving and living for GOD, for His Spirit is not in him. You are yet in your sins and under the penalty and judgment of GOD. But, GOD is not willing that any should perish, He wants you to surrender to Him on His terms and be born again, in fact He said you must be in order to understand the Kingdom of GOD. I pray that you will hear this message of warning, and encouragement and realize your need of His Salvation today.

If you are in Christ, allow Him to work and will in you to do His good pleasure as you go today.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

Sing unto the LORD

4/17/2013

Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but Thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for Thou hast cast all my sins behind Thy back. For the grave cannot praise Thee, death can not celebrate Thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for Thy truth. The living, the living, he shall praise Thee, as I do this day: the father to the children shall make known Thy truth. The LORD was ready to save me: therefore we will sing my songs to the stringed instruments all the days of our life in the house of the LORD. (Isaiah 38:17-20)

Even in despair and seemingly hopeless situations, GOD is there. Hezekiah was terribly sick and when Isaiah told him he would live his praise and gratitude to our Living Lord was bountiful. But, if you look closely at Hezekiah's praise, he praised Him even in his despair and looming death. Oh, that we would face our homegoing with as much praise. Not resigned to it, but celebrating the One who gives us life, and who will one day take us home. We need to sing His praises, and celebrate His Love.

The dead can not praise Him for they do not know Him. There is no celebration for those that die without Christ. Our hearts must be as burdened for those around us that do not have a secure born again relationship with Jesus Christ as His is. He is not willing that any should perish, but that they would come to a knowledge of the Truth. And He is Truth. His Word is Truth. We serve a risen, living Saviour that will save to the uttermost all those that come to Him in Faith. We have a message of Hope. Hope in this world, and in the next for those that truly believe.

For the lost person who has never experienced the new birth, and received new life in Christ: GOD loves you and wants to make you one of His children, to walk in newness of life with Him and be forgiven. To fellowship with Him daily, and learn of Jesus Christ. He simply wants you to surrender to Him on His terms and repent of your sIn that has separated you from a Righteous and Holy GOD.
Place your faith and trust in the GOD of all Creation and receive His gift of salvation. It will be a journey of discipleship that begins now, and will never end.

If you are a disciple of Christ share His message of love and grace to all you meet that they might believe and be saved.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

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