Personal Thoughts and Ministry

Praise the LORD.

7/31/2012

Let everything that has breath, praise the LORD.

Jesus is worthy of our praise. He is Lord, He is GOD, He is our Judge or our Saviour. He is Creator, Redeemer and King. Praise Him.

The Psalmist closes out the Psalms with a grand finale of Praise. Praise of His Creative work, His redemptive work, and His sustaining work.

Praise ye the LORD. Praise GOD in His sanctuary: praise Him in the firmament of His power.
Praise Him for His mighty acts: praise Him according to His excellent greatness.
Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet: praise Him with the psaltery and harp.
Praise Him with the timbrel and dance: praise Him with stringed instruments and organs.
Praise Him upon the loud cymbals: praise Him upon the high sounding cymbals.
Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD. (Psa 150:1-6)

Praise Him with music, praise Him with Singing, Praise Him with every fiber of our being.

Let us join with David and rejoice in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Rejoice in the salvation He offers to all who will come. Rejoice in His love demonstrated on the Cross. Rejoice in His provision. Rejoice in His soon return.

If you know Him, rejoice in the relationship you have with Jesus.

If you don't, here's how to receive Him today.

In Christ,
Jefferson A. Sweet

Sing Praises to the LORD.

7/30/2012

Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and His praise in the congregation of saints. (Psa 149:1)

We give praises to our GOD, even on Monday. Not just on Sunday. Not just at Church, but everywhere and with everyone. Especially when the saints gather together for fellowship, we praise our GOD for His blessings, His care, His love and His grace.

My hope and prayer is that you know Him today. That you can say that He is Lord of your life and praise Him for His salvation. Then you'll have a new song to sing, with us that are in His family.

If you know Him, be obedient to His call and commission and tell others of Jesus as you go.

In Christ,
Jefferson A. Sweet

Trust the Lord.

7/27/2012

Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God: Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever: (Psalms 146:3-6)

We must put our trust in the Lord. In these uncertain days, in times of trouble, in times of blessing and prosperity our trust and faith has to be in the never changing eternal love and care of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Since our time here is short, and our bodies wear out and return to the dust from which we were made; and our life here ends, our concern should be focused on the destination. We have to look at the eternal and spiritual; not the material and temporary.

If we have Christ and know His salvation by Faith, we are blessed. We are safe, not from the trouble of this world, but eternally. We have hope, that Blessed hope that carries us through no matter what comes our way. We have a relationship with our Creator that can never end and that gives us confidence to face both natural and man-made adversity and trials, for He is with us.

If you are His, praise Him for his care; and if you don't, I pray that today will be the day you meet Jesus.

My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless His Holy Name for ever and ever. (Psalms 145:21)

7/26/2012

The LORD is righteous in all His ways, and Holy in all His works. The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth. (Psalms 145:17-18)

Praise the Lord. A familiar phrase to many people, especially those in church. But what does it really mean to praise Him?
It is not a simple and flippant offhand remark we say as a way of 'thanks' for GOD wants us to truly be grateful for everything He gives us, and call upon Him in truth.
It is not just something we do with Psalms, and Hymns and Spiritual Songs making melody in our heart to the Lord; as important a directive as that is.

No, praising our Lord is a continual act of worship, awe, blessing and honor which is His due. He is Worthy. We praise Him in our adoration, we praise Him in our obedience to His Word, we praise Him in our testifying about His wondrous works.

And when we tell others about what Jesus has done in our life; from Salvation, to providing for us, to caring for our needs, and comfort during trials; we praise His Name and the Psalmist reminds us that the Lord is nigh to all them that call upon Him.

If you know Jesus, and have that assurance that comes from the presence of the Spirit within you, tell someone of what GOD has done for you.

If you don't know Him; if you don't have that Blessed Hope of a relationship with Jesus Christ by Faith in His finished work on the Cross; I pray that you will receive Him today and praise Him for his Salvation.

In Christ,
Jefferson A. Sweet

yea, happy is that people, whose GOD is the LORD.

7/25/2012

LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him! Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away. (Psa 144:3-4)

What is man? The crown of Creation. Made in the image of GOD; with a body that now dies due to sIn, a Soul (Mind, will, intellect) that will rise to Heaven or sink to Hell upon death, and a Spirit (that died in Adam, and is resurrected with Christ [for believers]).

We are NOT glorified apes, or animals of any Kind. Adam didn't find a mate among any of the animals, so GOD made a wife for him that was just like him, but different also.

Then sIn entered because of Man's willful disobedience and we are now no longer perfect. The image is marred and broken (as is all creation.) Now we die, after a relatively short lifespan. The question the is; where will you spend eternity? We were made to fellowship with GOD, and we rejected that fellowship and are separated from GOD because of our sIn. And yet, He loves each and everyone of us. He wants us to be set free, and in right relationship with Him.

An honest look at ourselves may not be pleasant, but it is enlightening...Let GOD show you how much He loves and cares for you today.

In Christ,
Jefferson A. Sweet

Thou art my GOD.

7/24/2012

Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy Spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. (Psa 143:10)

Our highest goal should be to do the Will of GOD. When Jesus walked this earth, He said; "For I came down from Heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of Hm that sent Me." (Joh 6:38).

And the Spirit which guides into all truth, both teaches us His will and leads in paths of righteousness for His Name's sake.

GOD wants us to know and to do His will; He wants us to know and to do good; and He wants us to know and to do right. All of that comes from a relationship with Him through Christ, and the presence of the Holy Spirit that comes when you receive Him by Faith.

If you are in Christ, tell somebody today of His life in you. And if not; I pray that today is the day of salvation.

In Christ,
Jefferson A. Sweet

The Lord is our Refuge.

7/23/2012

I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living. (Psalms 142:5)

Whether it was David hiding from Saul, or Elijah hiding from Jezebel GOD is our refuge. A strong Tower we can run to and be safe from the turmoil of this world. Now that doesn't mean that we won't experience trouble, or the consequences of our own actions; but it does mean that GOD can protect us and deliver us as He wills from outside forces, and the attacks of others.

Cry unto Him today, and seek refuge in His loving arms. He loves you, and wants you to trust Him.

In Christ,
Jefferson A. Sweet

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. (Psa 139:6)

7/20/2012

Whither shall I go from Thy Spirit? or whither shall I flee from Thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me. (Psa 139:7-10)

Where can we go that GOD is not present there; to comfort, protect, and yes even correct when necessary. He is omniscient and omnipresent. While His throne is in the Heaven of heavens, The Holy Spirit goes everywhere; and most importantly for a Christian, goes with us wherever we go.

David could not get away from GOD, Jonah when he tried could not get away from GOD, we cannot get away from GOD. And unless we are in rebellion against Him and His Word, why would we want to be apart from our Father, our Saviour, our Redeemer and our King.

Thank Him today for His presence, and His care.

In Christ,
Jefferson A. Sweet

I will praise Thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee. I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise Thy name for Thy lovingkindness and for Thy truth: for Thou hast magnified Thy Word above all Thy Name. In the day w

7/19/2012

When we worship with our whole heart in spirit and in truth there is no room for other gods or even ourselves. When we seek GOD and turn to Him we find Him and realize He is all we need. His Love is boundless, His Grace is sufficient, His truth is eternal and sets us free. Free from sIn because of the cross, free from the wisdom of this world through the Word, and free to live; not in or of ourselves but in Christ and He in us through the Spirit.

Praise Him today for His Presence, His strength, and His salvation, but most of all spend time in GOD's Word that you may grow, and He might speak to you.

In Christ
Jefferson A. Sweet

How shall we sing the LORD'S song in a strange land? (Psalms 137:4)

7/18/2012

For the Israelite captives taken to Babylon this indeed was a concern for them. But for us who are strangers and pilgrims in this strange land, how can we but sing of His mercies and praises. As redeemed people of GOD we rejoice with a "new song" and a "new name" that we should shout from the rooftops.

Are you praising GOD for your salvation today? Are you resting safe in His arms knowing that His mercies are renewed every morning? Have you come boldly to the throne and laid your burden down at His feet?

Sing the LORD's songs and the blessing and love of GOD be shed abroad in you today.

In Christ,
Jefferson A. Sweet

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