Personal Thoughts and Ministry

Be not afraid but believe

6/28/2013

And said unto them, Thus saith the LORD, the GOD of Israel, unto whom ye sent me to present your supplication before Him; If ye will still abide in this land, then will I build you, and not pull you down, and I will plant you, and not pluck you up: for I repent Me of the evil that I have done unto you. Be not afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom ye are afraid; be not afraid of him, saith the LORD: for I am with you to save you, and to deliver you from his hand. And I will shew mercies unto you, that he may have mercy upon you, and cause you to return to your own land. (Jeremiah 42:9-12)

GOD gave specific instructions to Jeremiah to pass to these asked of GOD even though their heart was not ready to hear the Word. They had already decided before coming to Jeremiah to 'escape' to Egypt regardless of the Word of GOD. GOD knew their heart and their decision, and gave them their instructions, and a warning that their plan was a fool's errand, for they would not escape in Egypt. They tried anyway, and were destroyed by the armies of Babylon which fought the Egyptians and prevailed, just as GOD had said. Those that stayed in the land of Judah were safe, exactly as GOD had told them.

GOD's instructions and commands are not too hard for us, even when they seem contrary to all we think we know, or want to do. Our sIn nature makes us want to rebel, even as His children, when He commands. Those of us in the Church must rely on Him and trust Him to know what is best for us, even when our country seems to be going the wrong way. The immorality and lawlessness we see around us is, in no small measure our fault. For the most part the church, the visible 'religion' known as the Christian church has allowed sIn to go unchecked and unrebuked. We bow at the alter of political convenience and correctness in order to be accepted. We forget that our commission, our one thing that GOD left us here to do, until He calls us Home, is to preach the Word: The Gospel to the lost, and discipleship and study for one another. We are to be salt and light while we are here, and we have become sand and shadow; marginalized and cast aside as ineffective in the battle for people's hearts and minds. We abandoned the Word of GOD so we have nothing left to speak with authority. We have gone down to 'Egypt' and we are experiencing similar results as these Jews did.

But GOD has a remnant, the faithful who still follow and obey our first love, despite all the turmoil with lost people on the rolls of our congregations, and in too many pulpits. We still share GOD's Word with those around us, praying that people will hear and believe their only hope of Salvation in this life and the next is Jesus Christ. We preach Him crucified and coming again. We are still about our Father's business.

If you don't know Jesus, have never received Him by Faith in His finished work on the Cross of Calvary in your place and for your sIn, I urge you to be born again today. GOD is not willing that any should perish, He has warned us all that without Him, we are under condemnation because of our sIn. He loves you so much that He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ to become a man and die for you, that you might live in Him. He wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. He desires that you might have life, if you surrender to Him on His terms, He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting.

For the rest of us, we must be faithful and serve our GOD, for it is all about Him.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

Woe and lament, or trust GOD and repent

6/27/2013

Then arose Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and the ten men that were with him, and smote Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan with the sword, and slew him, whom the king of Babylon had made governor over the land. Ishmael also slew all the Jews that were with him, even with Gedaliah, at Mizpah, and the Chaldeans that were found there, and the men of war. And it came to pass the second day after he had slain Gedaliah, and no man knew it, That there came certain from Shechem, from Shiloh, and from Samaria, even fourscore men, having their beards shaven, and their clothes rent, and having cut themselves, with offerings and incense in their hand, to bring them to the house of the LORD. (Jeremiah 41:2-5)

The very thing that Gedaliah had ignored and refused to believe would happen, GOD allowed to occur. As a puppet governor of Judah, he was niave and ineffective. As a man, he was woefully unaware of other men's motives and capabilities. As we saw in the last chapter, Gedaliah believed that all men were as he was. He learned the hard way that sIn is present in all men, and they can choose to be wicked and even kill for their schemes and desires.

The rest of Israel was also ignorant. Turning a blind eye and carrying on as if nothing had happened to their governor. While they may have lamented the judgment on their nation, they were blissfully unaware of this change in the political arena. Too often we, like them, are neither aware or knowledgable of the political machinations that occur at every level of government. The visible church has set aside GOD's Word for political correctness, and then because they deny sIn, turn a blind eye to the sIn that corrupts our government and our leaders.

We have abandoned the Gospel we were commanded to preach. We have ignored our commission in order to 'fit in', and have sacrificed our holiness on the alter of expediency and acceptance. But, the world will never accept us, or we will become like the world and no longer be fit for the Kingdom. We are no longer salt and light in this world, making people thirsty for the living water and shining GOD's righteousness into the darkness. It is time to get back to GOD's Word, His Holiness, and to once again be about our Father's business. There is a remnant, and GOD still works through His people, who are obedient to His Word, to accomplish His work and do His will.

If you don't know GOD, if you have never been born again and received the free gift of Salvation that Jesus Christ has already paid for, it is not too late. GOD is not willing that any should perish, and calls you to repent, that is, turn from your sIn and surrender to Him on His terms. Believe Jesus Christ has paid for your sIn on the Cross of Calvary, and receive Him by faith that you might have life. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. He wants to give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting.

Christian, be discerning and aware, be obedient and on mission, until Jesus returns.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

Our choice is clear

6/26/2013

And the captain of the guard took Jeremiah, and said unto him, The LORD thy GOD hath pronounced this evil upon this place. Now the LORD hath brought it, and done according as He hath said: because ye have sinned against the LORD, and have not obeyed His voice, therefore this thing is come upon you. And now, behold, I loose thee this day from the chains which were upon thine hand. If it seem good unto thee to come with me into Babylon, come; and I will look well unto thee: but if it seem ill unto thee to come with me into Babylon, forbear: behold, all the land is before thee: whither it seemeth good and convenient for thee to go, thither go. (Jeremiah 40:2-4)

Even the heathen can recognize the Hand of GOD on His people but don't always know what to do about it, since they don't know the Lord. Here, the captain gave Jeremiah a false choice because GOD had already told Jeremiah to stay in the land and witness what He was going to do. And while the Babylonians may not realize it, GOD has more punishment and condemnation against the sIn of His people. The captain was gracious and freed Jeremiah from his false imprisonment, and gave him the opportunity to go where he wished, which simply gave Jeremiah the freedom to follow GOD in complete obedience without government interference which fit into GOD's ultimate plan as well.

The Church, when properly involved with all aspects of life as pilgrims on this earth, must understand the most important task we have, just as Jeremiah understood, is telling the Word of GOD. All of it, not just the pieces we like, or the 'stories', but the whole counsel of GOD. It is the History book of the Universe. From the first verse, telling how GOD created this world, to the last verse, telling of His return and restoration of all things, we are to preach and teach all of it. We go where GOD sends us, we do what He says to do, and as we go, we share the Good News of Jesus Christ with those we meet. The world may or may not release us to do as we please, but GOD has already told us to obey Him and trust Him in all things.

But, if you don't know Jesus Christ, if you have never surrendered to GOD on His terms and been born again, this discussion doesn't make much sense to you. GOD is not willing that you should perish, but wants you to come to a knowledge of the Truth. The Truth that He loves you, and having already paid the price for your sIn, wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. While you are under condemnation for your sIn, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ that you might have Life. A new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. Receive Him by faith and believe today.

No matter what your circumstances, be obedient to the Gospel today.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

A sure Word of Hope

6/25/2013

Now the Word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah, while he was shut up in the court of the prison, saying, Go and speak to Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, Thus saith the LORD of Hosts, the GOD of Israel; Behold, I will bring My Words upon this city for evil, and not for good; and they shall be accomplished in that day before thee. But I will deliver thee in that day, saith the LORD: and thou shalt not be given into the hand of the men of whom thou art afraid. For I will surely deliver thee, and thou shalt not fall by the sword, but thy life shall be for a prey unto thee: because thou hast put thy trust in Me, saith the LORD. (Jeremiah 39:15-18)

GOD here speaks a word of comfort to Ebedmelech who saved Jeremiah and cared for him in the prison. He let him know that despite all the terror and destruction that was going on around him, he and Jeremiah would be safe, for they trusted GOD. GOD was in the process of pouring out wrath on the disobedient, but He remembered His own and those that had put their trust in Him. GOD did let them know that they would be captured, but their life would be spared.

We are reminded in this that GOD knows all about our circumstances, and even when everything is falling apart around us, He is still in control of all things. Whether He directs them, or allows them we are safe in His arms. Even if He chooses to take us Home to Him that is good as well. Disasters happen, most of them are man-made because this world is broken and cursed because of our sIn. Sometimes, GOD accomplishes an event against this evil world, but most events, whether the house that burns down, or the person struck by lightening, on up to the big fires and storms are simply allowed to happen in this cursed and broken world filled with sInful people.

But just as this Word was spoken to Ebedmelech, the servant of the King, so are we given hope in this world as servants of our King. Our Blessed Hope, Jesus Christ is coming back to rule the nations, and His servants will witness the judgment that He has already pronounced. We are safe, for we are secure in Christ and will forever be with Him because of our faith and trust in GOD.

Those that have never put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ and been born again, have no such hope. GOD says we are all under condemnation because of sIn, but, GOD is not willing that any should perish. He loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. You must repent, that is, turn away from your sIn, and surrender to GOD on His terms. He desires to give you a new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. You must believe in His finished work on the Cross of Calvary as sufficient payment for your sIn, and trust Him for forgiveness and salvation. Be obedient to His Word of Hope today.

Be a true servant of the King, and share His message of Hope,

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

Choose wisely, that you might live

6/24/2013

Then said Jeremiah unto Zedekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the GOD of hosts, the GOD of Israel; If thou wilt assuredly go forth unto the king of Babylon's princes, then thy soul shall live, and this city shall not be burned with fire; and thou shalt live, and thine house: But if thou wilt not go forth to the king of Babylon's princes, then shall this city be given into the hand of the Chaldeans, and they shall burn it with fire, and thou shalt not escape out of their hand. (Jeremiah 38:17-18)

GOD gave the people of Jerusalem what should have been an easy choice. Submit to His authority and go peacefully into the captivity that GOD had ordained, or resist and be subjected to that same captivity, but under duress and destruction. Looking back at history we wonder sometimes at the choices that the Israelites made, flagrant disobedience to GOD, and idolatry, but yet, we are just as guilty.

GOD's Word shows us our need of Him, that we cannot be righteous apart from Him, and our sIn separates us from Him. The Israelites had a choice to make, and most of them chose incorrectly, the city was destroyed, and the Temple was torn down and burned. Are our lives so different? We have what should be an easy choice, obey and follow GOD, even into what seems like a difficult place or circumstance, or disobey and be chastised for our disobedience and end up in the same place or circumstance the hard way. But GOD is a perfect and Holy Father, who lets His children choose, even when we know the results of our choice.

If you do not yet know Jesus Christ, because you have never surrendered to Him on His terms, the choice for you is to believe His finished work on the Cross of Calvary is sufficient to pay for your sIn and receive His free gift of a new life in Christ, or reject Him and live your own life separated from Him, even into eternity. He is not willing that any should perish, but wants you to come to the knowledge of the Truth and be born again. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. He desires to give you a new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. Trust Him today. The choice is yours.

If GOD is speaking to you, listen and obey.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

Listen and obey the Servant of the Lord

6/21/2013

Thus saith the LORD of Hosts, the GOD of Israel; Go and tell the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Will ye not receive instruction to hearken to My Words? saith the LORD. The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab, that he commanded his sons not to drink wine, are performed; for unto this day they drink none, but obey their father's commandment: notwithstanding I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye hearkened not unto Me. I have sent also unto you all My servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve them, and ye shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers: but ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto Me. (Jeremiah 35:13-15)

GOD had sent numerous prophets to the nation of Judah and city of Jerusalem to warn them that their sIn and disobedience to His Word would soon be punished. They kept vows to their forefathers, but wouldn't keep the commandments of GOD. And since their 'sacrifice' and 'offering' was misplaced, it was sIn as well. GOD had intervened on their behalf early and often, yet they denied their Saviour and ignored His warnings and worshipped other gods that are no gods.

The destruction of the city was swift and complete when it came, just as GOD had warned. His warning of the future destruction of this world is just as sure. He is coming again, and will pour out His wrath on all those that have rejected Him to worship themselves, or others, or false gods in their religion. GOD is Holy, and cannot tolerate sIn. He provided Himself in our place to pay for that sIn, but there are those who by not choosing Christ, have already rejected Him and under condemnation. He has warned us, and we are all without excuse, knowing the righteous anger of our Judge and King. Even in the Church we must observe to do all that He has commanded, we trusted Him for our justification, we must continue to trust and obey for sanctification as He conforms us to the image of His dear Son, Jesus Christ until we are glorified in His presence.

That process of discipleship and fellowship with Him only comes to those that believe and receive Jesus Christ by faith in His finished work on the Cross of Calvary. GOD is not willing that any should perish, but wants you to come to the knowledge of the Truth. He loves you, and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. You must repent, surrender to Him on His terms and be born again. He will give you a brand new life in Him that is abundant and everlasting.

Be obedient to His Command and Commission today.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

GOD is NOT our butler.

6/20/2013

And I will give the men that have transgressed My covenant, which have not performed the words of the covenant which they had made before Me, when they cut the calf in twain, and passed between the parts thereof, The princes of Judah, and the princes of Jerusalem, the eunuchs, and the priests, and all the people of the land, which passed between the parts of the calf; I will even give them into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of them that seek their life: and their dead bodies shall be for meat unto the fowls of the heaven, and to the beasts of the earth. (Jeremiah 34:18-20)

GOD is serious about His people obeying His Word, and keeping the covenant He establishes with them. When the Babylonians were coming, the people of Judah looked to GOD, but when the Egyptians distracted the advancing armies, the Jews went back to their rebellious ways. GOD had had enough and condemned their actions, and the princes and leaders especially for abandoning GOD when things got 'better'. Their lack of trust was demonstrated in their attitude and their behavior. GOD had Jeremiah tell them that their days on this earth were numbered, and the whole city, which thought of itself as protected by GOD because of the temple, would be destroyed. When the armies of Babylon came in they fulfilled the Word which GOD had spoken.

Today is much the same way. Too many Christians only look to GOD when the storms of life come, or when our 'enemies' are at the gate. Our trust is as wayward as the happenings around us. Our faith and obedience to GOD and His Word must be as evident when He is blessing and things are good, as it is when the bottom falls out and our life is upside down. We should not only turn to GOD in praise and thanksgiving when things are 'bad' but also in the good. GOD is not a genie, that we only bring out when we need Him, neither is He our butler to clean up our mess. He is GOD, our Holy and Righteous Creator, Redeemer, and King and everything comes from Him. He is our Life, our Breath and our Salvation; in this world and the next, He is our only Hope.

If you don't yet know GOD, you don't yet have this Hope. But, GOD is not willing that you should perish, but wants you to come to the knowledge of the truth. The truth that Jesus is GOD, that He loves you and wants to enter into a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. He tells us that we must be born again, and that you must repent, that is turn away from your sIn and to GOD, surrendering to Him on His terms, and receive Him by Faith in His finished work on the Cross of Calvary in your place. Jesus came as a man, and humbled Himself in obedience to the Father, that you might have life, and have it more abundantly. He wants you to believe, and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting.

Be obedient to His Word, and trust Him today.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

He is our Righteousness

6/19/2013

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah. In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of Righteousness to grow up unto David; and He shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land. In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness. (Jeremiah 33:14-16)

When our Lord returns and sets up His millennial Kingdom, Jerusalem shall be called by His Name, Jehovah. Our only righteousness is the righteousness we have in Christ, for all ours is as filthy rags. In His first appearance He came unto His own, the Jews as the Branch of David, the Messiah and even after His peaceful entry into the city as a servant King, they rejected Him. In His second appearance the whole world will see Him, and He will come as Israel's Saviour and King. With His throne established in Jerusalem, she will once again embody the provision of peace.

For GOD sent His Son to be the sacrifice for the sIn of the world. And those of us who have received Him and are born again, have a new life of discipleship that is everlasting and a new righteousness in Christ that is eternal. Each of us had to see ourselves as GOD saw us, and repent, that is turn away from our sIn, and to GOD. GOD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all, but we had to receive that free gift for ourselves once we came to understand it and believe.

If you don't yet know GOD, He loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. He is not willing that you should perish, but wants you to come to the knowledge of the truth. The truth as described in this passage, that He is GOD, that He is our only righteousness, and without Him we are men most miserable. Believe His Word, and receive Him today.

Live in the righteousness that comes from our Lord,

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

Nothing is too hard for GOD.

6/18/2013

Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by Thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for Thee: Thou shewest lovingkindness unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: the Great, the Mighty GOD, the LORD of hosts, is His Name, Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for Thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings: (Jeremiah 32:17-19)

Our Creator loves us and wants what is best for us. But, He must deal with our sIn. He paid for sIn at the Cross, and chastises those that are His for their actions, and disobedience. He is Holy, and commands that we be Holy as well. He knows our thoughts and wants us to think His thoughts after Him, and become like He is. For those in the Church, He works things to that purpose.

This passage refers to GOD's plans for Israel. He knew they would return from their captivity in Babylon, and would once again be in the land. GOD even stated the time they would be in captivity (70 years) and directed His children back to their land just as He had promised. He is great, and being outside of time is aware of all from the beginning to the end. Nothing surprises GOD, nor is anything too hard for Him.

Take hope, regardless of how bad things may seem, if GOD is for us then He will bring us through whatever may come against us, or He will take us Home and that is good too. If you don't know GOD then He has not promised this hope to you, but He loves you and wants you to know Him. He is not willing that any should perish but wants you to come to a knowledge of the truth. He wants to establish a relationship with you that is real and personal, but you must surrender to Him on His terms for your sIn separates you from GOD. He has already paid your sIn debt, and wants you to receive Him by faith that you might enter into a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. Believe His Word and trust Him today.

Trust Him and obey, for there's no other Way.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

Do you know the Lord Jesus Christ?

6/17/2013

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that 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 that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which My covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put My law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their GOD, and they shall be My people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know Me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sIn no more. (Jeremiah 31:31-34)

This new covenant was begun and instituted at the 'Last Supper' when Jesus celebrated His last Passover on earth until His return. As He connected the Exodus and the Passover lamb to His own Sacrifice that was to come, He laid out a new testament and covenant to His disciples, a covenant in His own blood, not the temporary blood of animal sacrifices. We remember the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ every time we celebrate the Lord's Supper or Communion until His coming again. Just as faithful, believing Jews looked ahead to the Messiah every Passover, we look back to the cross and remember and we look ahead for our Blessed Hope, the return of Jesus Christ.

The ultimate fulfillment of this passage for the Jews will be in the Millenial Kingdom, when all will know the Lord, for they shall see Him as He is. While we remember, and look with the eyes of Faith, in that day, all shall see Him as He rules from Jerusalem over His Kingdom of Rest for a thousand years.

But, since you aren't promised tomorrow, and while I believe the time is short, only GOD knows when He will return, don't wait hoping that you will somehow make it in. GOD tells us all that we must be born again, and receive Him by Faith in His Word and finished work on the Cross of Calvary for our sIn. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. If you believe and surrender to Him on His terms, turning away from your sIn and to GOD, He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship that is abundant and everlasting.

Celebrate Him today.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

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