Personal Thoughts and Ministry

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise:

11/29/2013

All nations whom Thou hast made shall come and worship before Thee, O Lord; and shall glorify Thy Name. For Thou art great, and doest wondrous things: Thou art GOD alone. Teach me Thy way, O LORD; I will walk in Thy Truth: unite my heart to fear Thy Name. I will praise Thee, O Lord my GOD, with all my heart: and I will glorify Thy Name for evermore. For great is Thy mercy toward me: and Thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell. (Psalms 86:9-13)

We come to GOD in this season of Thanksgiving and thank Him for all His benefits; for His great Salvation that delivered us from condemnation, for His provision of peace and blessings, for His guidance and teaching from His Word, and His promises of care and rest with Him.

We should be in a state of thanksgiving and gratitude at all times; from knowing that He is still on the throne, and nothing surprises Him, to believing His Word that He sets up and tears down the nations, and finally expecting His return and His Kingdom on this earth. Praise His Name for all His wondrous works. His Word is clear, that He alone is GOD, and that He will accomplish all that He has said He will do.

We walk in obedience to that Word, we worship our Lord Jesus Christ because He alone is worthy, we witness of what He has done in saving us and providing for us, and we wait for the Blessed Hope and the return of our Lord to this earth or our going Home to Him.

That walk is by faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, our worship is because of who He is, we are His witness through the power of His Holy Spirit, and we wait, not in idleness, but in service and mission, to accomplish His Will and work until He comes again.

If you don't know Him then you have plenty to fear: His judgment which is perfect, His justice which is pure and Holy, His condemnation of sIn which is righteous and correct and His promise of separation from Him to all those that refuse to surrender to Him on His terms.

He is GOD, and He has already condemned sIn, but, GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that you would come to the knowledge of the Truth. The Truth that Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. He says that He is the only Way to the Father and eternal Life and that you must be born again.

If He was not GOD in the flesh it would be lunacy, but Jesus Christ the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son is the only one who could say it. Believe His Word and receive Him by faith and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship that is abundant and everlasting. Then you will truly have something to thank Him for all the time.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty

11/28/2013

His foundation is in the holy mountains. The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of GOD. Selah.
I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there. And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest Himself shall establish her. The LORD shall count, when He writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah.
As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee. (Psalms 87:1-7)

We give thanks to GOD for all His benefits. We praise Him for His Creation, that was perfect until we sinned against a Holy and Righteous GOD. We praise Him for His drawing His people back to Him over and over again, despite their disobedience and rebellion. We praise Him for establishing His people in Israel, and exalting His holy city, Jerusalem.

But, most of all, we praise Him for humbly and willingly coming to earth as a man, and going obediently in our place to the Cross of Calvary to pay the sIn debt we cannot pay. We thank Him for His great Salvation that restores sinners to GOD, and brings us peace. Not peace in this world, because many are still at war with GOD, but peace in our hearts, since we are reconciled with our Creator; and peace with fellow believers for we are now a part of the Family of GOD, and members one of another.

At this time of Thanksgiving, remember to give thanks to GOD, for every good and perfect gift comes from Him. He is our provider, our sustainer, and our King. We worship Him and lift up His glorious name not just at Thanksgiving, but all the time.

If you don't know Him, if you have never repented of your sIn, and received Jesus Christ by faith in His finished work on that cruel Roman cross, GOD calls you to be born again. He is not willing that any should perish, but that you would come to the knowledge of the Truth that 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 that He may forgive your sIn, and give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. Receive His great Salvation, and you will really have something to be thankful for.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

Thanks be unto our GOD and Saviour

11/27/2013

Bow down Thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy. Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O Thou my GOD, save Thy servant that trusteth in Thee. Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto Thee daily. Rejoice the soul of Thy servant: for unto Thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon Thee. (Psalms 86:1-5)

Our GOD hears and answers prayers: The repentant prayer of the sinner for mercy and forgiveness and the heartfelt prayer of the saint for blessing and strength. The sinner must come to GOD and surrender to Him on His terms, trusting in His infinite grace provided on the Cross of Calvary. The saint must understand that everything comes from GOD as He wills and guides. Without Him we are men most miserable, and we can do nothing; with Him all things are possible.

Before we knew GOD, He knew us and formed us for His good pleasure. As His children, He wants what is best for us and wants us to ask it of Him. Salvation for those that are lost, and a firm reliance on Him for those that are His. We are to trust and obey Him and His Word.

With GOD we are saved, sanctified, saints separated for service. Without GOD we are either backsliding believers GOD will chastise, or unbelieving, wayward and wicked souls bound for a devils Hell.

But, GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and a knowledge of the Truth. The Truth that Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. He calls you to believe His Word and be born again, and receive by faith in His finished and perfect work on the cross a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. Rejoice in His Salvation today.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

But thanks be to GOD, which giveth us the victory.

11/26/2013

Thou hast taken away all Thy wrath: Thou hast turned Thyself from the fierceness of Thine anger. Turn us, O GOD of our Salvation, and cause Thine anger toward us to cease. Wilt Thou be angry with us for ever? wilt Thou draw out Thine anger to all generations? Wilt Thou not revive us again: that Thy people may rejoice in Thee? Shew us Thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us Thy Salvation. (Psalms 85:3-7)

GOD's wrath is satisfied in the finished and perfect work of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary. The Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, became a man and went humbly and willingly to a cruel Roman cross in our place, to pay the sIn debt we cannot pay, and to provide us the only way to the Father and eternal life. We rejoice in Him and all He has done.

We are compelled by His love to share the Good News of Salvation to all, that they may turn from their sIn, and surrender to GOD on His terms, trusting in His Holiness and mercy and be made righteous in His sight through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

Our only hope for revival and restoration is for GOD's people to return to GOD and live for Him. His Church must get back to the Word of GOD, and stand strong on Doctrine, Faith in Christ, and love for one another. We need to look to GOD for all our needs, all our strength, and all our direction. Anything else is self-centered and worldly and will not please GOD.

Even in His correction of His people there is hope and mercy. GOD calls us to return to Him, but if you have never received Him by Faith in Jesus Christ, GOD calls you to repent. Believe His Word and accept His free gift of Salvation for forgiveness of your sIn. He is not willing that any should perish, but wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Jesus loves you and desires to give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. Trust Him and His Word today.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

Give thanks with a grateful heart

11/25/2013

Behold, O GOD our shield, and look upon the face of Thine anointed. For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the House of my GOD, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the LORD GOD is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly. O LORD of Hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in Thee. (Psalms 84:9-12)

Our Gracious GOD not only has saved us from our sIn and wickedness, but placed us in His body, His Church, as He has seen fit for His Glory and to accomplish His work of grace in our hearts. From the preacher in the pulpit to the usher at the door, GOD has a task for you to accomplish in His Kingdom.

We come together as believers to worship Him, to disciple and encourage one another with His Word, and to prepare our hearts and minds for the opportunity and command of sharing the Good News of Salvation to everyone we meet. He calls all those that are His to be His witnesses and to share the message of Love and Hope to this lost and dying world.

We who are the redeemed, have a message of mercy to those that have never repented and received Jesus Christ by faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. We must be committed to spreading His free gift to all those that will hear, not out of a sense of duty alone, but because we are devoted to our Lord, and because His love in us compels us to love one another and reach those that are not yet born again.

For GOD is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Surrender to GOD on His terms and trust Him for forgiveness of your sIn. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. He calls you out of darkness and into His marvelous light that He may give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. Receive by faith in Him, His blessing of Salvation today.

We thank GOD for His Salvation

11/22/2013

Return, we beseech thee, O GOD of Hosts: look down from Heaven, and behold, and visit this vine; And the vineyard which Thy right hand hath planted, and the branch that thou madest strong for Thyself. It is burned with fire, it is cut down: they perish at the rebuke of Thy countenance. Let Thy hand be upon the man of Thy right hand, upon the Son of Man whom Thou madest strong for Thyself. So will not we go back from Thee: quicken us, and we will call upon Thy Name. Turn us again, O LORD GOD of Hosts, cause Thy face to shine; and we shall be saved. (Psalms 80:14-19)

GOD has not abandoned Israel. In His own time He will accomplish all that He has said concerning His chosen people. When all has been done concerning the Church, GOD will once again concern Himself directly with the Jewish people. He is on the Throne, and nothing takes Him by surprise.

The vine of Israel will be delivered, though it will be tried by fire and tribulation. When the time of Jacob's trouble is over, our Lord and Saviour, the GOD of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will descend and take His rightful place on the throne of His earthly Kingdom in Jerusalem.

Until that day, GOD has called all people of this world to repent and be saved, not nationally, but individually by surrendering to GOD on His terms and being born again by faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. That is the message of Good News we have, and are to tell to everyone we meet. That is our Hope, and the blessing of Salvation we must share with this lost and dying world.

For GOD is not willing that any should perish but, He wants you to believe in Him and receive by faith a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Accept His free offer of Salvation and forgiveness today.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

Give thanks to our GOD for all His tender mercies

11/21/2013

O remember not against us former iniquities: let Thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low. Help us, O GOD of our salvation, for the glory of Thy Name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for Thy Name's sake. Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is their GOD? ...
So we Thy people and sheep of Thy pasture will give Thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth Thy praise to all generations. (Psalms 79:8-10a, 13)

We who are His must be thankful to GOD that He does forget that which He has forgiven. Our sIn is washed white as snow, and we who are one with Christ are seen through the Blood of Jesus Christ as perfect, holy, and righteous. That does not mean we sIn as much as we want to, because it has already been forgiven; it means we sIn more than we want to and yet GOD is merciful and full of Grace to those who repent.

When we humbled ourselves and surrendered to GOD on His terms He gave us a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. We have the Good News of Salvation that we must share so that others may know and believe. We are compelled by the Love of GOD to declare His mighty works as witnesses of His Power, and the Grace of GOD through His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary.

We are forgiven, and so we must forgive others. We are made righteous in Christ, so we share Him with others that they might live. We are the redeemed, so we praise His Name, for He is Worthy of all praise and glory.

If you don't yet know Jesus Christ, He declares that you must be born again. Believe His Word, and receive Him by faith in what He has and will do in, through, and for you. GOD is not willing that any should perish, but wants you to know that Jesus loves you and desires to establish a covenant relationship with Him that is real and personal. Trust Him, and turn from your sIn and to GOD and He will save and forgive you so you too can rejoice and give Him praise for what He has done.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

Give thanks unto GOD and declare His mighty works

11/20/2013

We will not hide Them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and His strength, and His wonderful works that He hath done. For He established a Testimony in Jacob, and appointed a Law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers, that they should make Them known to their children: That the generation to come might know Them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare Them to their children: That they might set their hope in GOD, and not forget the works of GOD, but keep His Commandments: (Psalms 78:4-7)

The Bible is clear that we are to pass on the precepts, the commands, the doctrine of Scripture and our GOD to our children, and our children's children. We are to teach them and raise them up in the care and admonition of the Lord. We are accountable for what we know, and commanded to study GOD's Word that we learn more of Him, and then pass it on to following generations as we live out His Salvation in us.

While every person is responsible for their own relationship with Jesus Christ, and we cannot save anyone ourselves, GOD holds first and foremost fathers responsible for the education and upbringing of our children. We can be like the example of the Israelites who raised up generations that forgot GOD or we can be obedient to the instructions of GOD and with GOD's help raise up Godly offspring to do and accomplish the work of GOD in His Church. The testimony of a Godly family doing the will and work of GOD for His Glory is a blessing indeed.

And it's never too late to start, study first yourself and then share it with those that will listen, that they too might learn. GOD blesses our obedience in His time, and while there are consequences for our past disobedience, He can and will do His work in and through us.

And if you don't know the Lord; GOD, who is not willing that any should perish wants you to be born again. Repent, that is, turn from your sIn, and surrender to Him on His terms, and believe His Word and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. Jesus loves you and desires to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Trust Him and His Salvation and forgiveness today.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

Give thanks unto the Lord for He is good.

11/19/2013

And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the Right Hand of the most High. I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember Thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all Thy work, and talk of Thy doings. Thy way, O GOD, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a GOD as our GOD? Thou art the GOD that doest wonders: Thou hast declared Thy strength among the people. Thou hast with Thine arm redeemed Thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah. (Psalms 77:10-15)

When we consider all that GOD has done, when we meditate on His works and wonders first in Creation, then in redemption and deliverance of His people, we also consider His promises and that nothing that GOD has promised has or will fail to be accomplished in His time.

His Hand is not short that He cannot deliver those that come to Him on His terms. His work of grace is sufficient to save the repentant. His Word is everlasting and goes out to every generation so that they may hear the Truth. We give thanks and declare His works and ways to every person in obedience to our Lord. Praise Him for all He is doing.

We sing the praises of our Lord Jesus Christ, who loves us and gave Himself for us that we might be reconciled to GOD through His shed blood. The promised seed of the woman, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Branch of Jesse put on flesh and dwelt among us, giving Himself as a ransom for many. His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary is the payment for the sIn of all mankind. That is our Hope. That is the Good News. Salvation has come, and we are commanded to go and tell that others will hear and receive the GOD's free gift of Redemption.

For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that everyone will come to the knowledge of the Truth and be born again. Jesus loves you and desires to establish a covenant relationship with Him that is real and personal. Believe His Word and repent, that is, turn from your sIn and let Him give you a brand new life that is abundant and everlasting. Like the sons of Jacob and Joseph, you can receive forgiveness of your sIn, and be made right with GOD through faith in Jesus Christ.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

Thanks be to GOD for His mercy endureth forever.

11/18/2013

In Judah is GOD known: His Name is great in Israel. In Salem also is His tabernacle, and His dwelling place in Zion.
Thou art more glorious and excellent than the mountains of prey.
Thou, even Thou, art to be feared: and who may stand in Thy sight when once Thou art angry? Thou didst cause judgment to be heard from Heaven; the earth feared, and was still, When GOD arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah. (Psalms 76:1-2,4,7-9)

Praise the Name of Jesus. Jehovah Joshua, the Lord our Salvation. The Lion of the Tribe of Judah who has prevailed on behalf of His people. The Prince of Peace who inhabits the praises of His people. His Name is excellent and greatly to be praised.

The Judge of the whole earth who has declared us all guilty before Him, has redeemed us from every tribe, tongue, and nation. Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, who became a man, and went humbly and willingly to the Cross of Calvary, has triumphed gloriously over sIn, and the grave. His grace is sufficient, and His mercy endureth to all generations.

We who can come boldly to the Throne of Grace because of the shed blood of Jesus Christ, must tell this lost and dying world of the Good News of Salvation in Jesus. He offers His mercy and grace to all those that will surrender to Him on His terms and be born again.

While His enemies, and those who have not yet repented of their sIn and received Him by Faith in His finished and perfect work, rightfully fear His wrath and judgment, GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to the knowledge of the Truth. The Truth that Jesus loves you and desires to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Believe His Word and trust His grace and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. He is waiting to Save you today.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

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