Personal Thoughts and Ministry

Blessed be the LORD

2/8/2016

Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day. And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem: And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the LORD shall give thee of this young woman. So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son. And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel. (Rth 4:10-14)

     Boaz confronts the near kinsman, who will not redeem Ruth, because she was a Moabitess, so Boaz does what is right and lawful and redeems her and her property. The marriage leads to a child, Obed who would be the grandfather of King David, who was an ancestor of Jesus Christ after the flesh. GOD was, and continues to work His plan in the lives of His people. Boaz was the son of Rahab of Jericho, and marries Ruth of Moab, and they are included, even mentioned by name, in the genealogy of our Lord. This interlude during the time of the Judges shows that GOD is even interested in the Salvation of the Gentiles, that GOD is involved in His creation and with His people. It also demonstrates all the aspects GOD set forth in the Law of the kinsman-redeemer, which Christ would fulfill as He redeemed us from the curse of sIn, death, and the Law.

      We are redeemed, delivered and made free, one with Christ Jesus, not in deity for we do not become gods, but in relationship and fellowship with our GOD and our Saviour. We are not free to sIn or do our own will, for our will is to be surrendered to Him completely and unconditionally and we are to reckon ourselves dead, that we might live in Him and He in us, a life of holiness and righteousness which only comes from Him. We are to be set apart, Holy for He is Holy, living in this life lives that demonstrate not only our faith in Him and His Word, but His power and work in us.

      He has called us to come out of this world into Himself, no more strangers with GOD even while we are strangers and pilgrims in this lost and dying world. He has redeemed us to His service, to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need. He has adopted us into His family and commanded us to love one another as He has loved us and to disciple one another in His Word until we all grow up into the full measure of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. He has rescued us from ourselves and from sIn, not to continue in sIn, but to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others in the power of the Holy Spirit that is within us, that those we meet might know the Good News of forgiveness and reconciliation with the Father, through repentance and faith in the Son and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary and in 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. 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. GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

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But every man hath his proper gift of GOD

3/26/2015

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And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife. But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but GOD hath called us to peace. (1Co 7:10-15)

    A difficult passage for many, for Paul's speaks to specific situations in the Corinthian church at the exclusion of other marriage and relationship problems. But his message is important to understand in context. Those who are married and turn to GOD in repentance and faith should not seek to leave the marriage just because of their new life in Christ, nor should they seek a new spouse if the unbelieving one leaves. It is difficult for us to see this as proper, but GOD desires for us to witness even in our marriages, and trust Him for our needs and the outcome of our obedience to Him.

    Staying married after coming to a new relationship with Jesus Christ may afford an opportunity for the unbelieving spouse to also repent and believe. Staying unmarried if they leave can provide a witness of your faith and your reliance on GOD for your needs that may win them back and to Christ. Whatever the case, seek the Lord and His Word, and prayerfully follow Him as you trust Him for all your needs.

    Whatever our state, married, widowed, or single, GOD wishes us to be faithful to Him first of all. We ought to trust Him for our needs, even in relationships, for He already knows what they are, and has an answer for us. We also must be obedient to His call for holiness and purity, whether married or single, that we may glorify Him in our bodies and our spirits, which are His. His purpose in us, to conform us to the image of His dear Son, is still going on until He takes us Home to be with Him.

    Until that day, we are to minister to the hurting and in need, showing His love as His ambassadors. We are to disciple one another in His Word and love one another as His disciples. We are to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to all we meet, that they may receive by faith the best relationship of all, one with our GOD and Saviour. As we go, we are to share the Gospel that those who hear and believe may 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. 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. GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD with forgiveness and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

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In the beginning GOD

12/29/2014

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The Pharisees also came unto Him, tempting Him, and saying unto Him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? And He answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that He which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore GOD hath joined together, let not man put asunder. (Mat 19:3-6)

    This attempt at testing the Authority and knowledge of Jesus concerning the Law centered around marriage, and our Lord, the creator of man and marriage rightly explained that GOD created marriage, from the beginning, as one man, and one woman, for life. He did so before He instituted governments, or nations, or even His Church, because the family is the foundation of all the others. He brought Eve to Adam and established marriage as a single unity, and expects us to continue this practice regardless of what other later institutions may do in rebellion against their Creator.

    A proper marriage, unified and strengthened in Christ, provides a proper environment for raising GODly offspring, and working properly in the community, the Church, and the nation. We must understand this role, not to tear down those that disagree, but to lift up this moral and philosophical standard as instituted by GOD from the very beginning.

    If we, in GOD's Church do not understand the reason, and the permanency of marriage as GOD intended, how can we expect the lost world to do so. The Scriptures teach us Truth about GOD, man, and marriage, and we must be obediently to His Word. His people need to get back to being people of the Book, and hold to His authority from the Word He has given us to follow. GOD warned us that many, even in His Church, would not hold to sound Doctrine, but would after their own lusts, heap to themselves teachers that would tell them what they want to hear, and not what GOD says. Whether it is the denial of Creation, the destruction of morality and marriage, or the redefining of sIn and Salvation, GOD's Word has always been under attack, from without and now from within.

    GOD's people, following GOD's Word, in the power of the Holy Spirit, not only ought to be obedient to His commands, but also must hold to His standard and lift Him up, as Creator, Redeemer, and King. As His ambassadors we are to minister to the hurting, and meet their needs as GOD gives the increase. We are to disciple one another in love and in His Word, so that we know what it says, from cover to cover, and also what it means, and what GOD would have us to do with what He has said. We are to live the Gospel we preach, and go to this lost and dying world with the Truth of faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. As we go, we are to warn of Judgment, and preach Christ and the Good News of Jesus that all may hear and believe, and in believing in Him 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. 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. GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD with forgiveness and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

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Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction

7/10/2014

And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her. And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.
And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in unto her.
And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?
And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, He opened her womb: but Rachel was barren. And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me. (Gen 29:20-21, 23, 25, 31-32)

Jacob worked seven years for Laban to earn Rachel's hand in marriage, when he wakes up after the marriage feast, he finds himself tricked by Laban and married to Leah, Rachel's older sister. He agrees to another seven for Rachel, and ends up with two wives, and their handmaids, even though his heart belonged to Rachel. While GOD does not condone multiple wives, it records the account of those who ended up with them, and the results. GOD used the circumstances, and their failings to accomplish His will and prepare for Himself a people.

Jacob was not a perfect man, no one other than our Lord Jesus is, but GOD saw who and what he would become in Him, and the legacy he would leave as one of the patriarchs of Israel. GOD sees his own, not for what they were, but for what they are, and will be, in Christ, even as He directs their growth and maturing in Him. He uses the Word to teach and correct, and His Spirit guides and directs that we may learn and grow, even as He accounts us as righteous because of our faith in what He has already done for our sIn in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary.

He holds us as complete because of our relationship with, through and in Jesus Christ, and commands us to go and tell, and as we go, minister to the hurting as He provides, disciple one another in the Word, and proclaim the Good News of forgiveness and Salvation in Him by faith in what He has already done to pay the sIn debt we cannot pay, that those that hear and believe may 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. 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. Turn away from your sIn and unrighteousness and trust what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided forgiveness and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, and is our Life. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

The LORD of Hosts who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in working

7/9/2014

And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother. And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept. And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father's brother, and that he was Rebekah's son: and she ran and told her father. And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister's son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house. And he told Laban all these things. And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month. (Gen 29:10-14)

When Jacob reached his families home in Haran, he met Rachel and the story continues as Jacob and Laban meet and share Jacob's history and reason for travel. Laban is already thinking of the labor and marriage possibilities, but Jacob only has eyes for Rachel. This sets the scene for more trouble, as Jacob meets his match in underhandedness and trickery in Laban. GOD is using their character and nature, even as they try to outmaneuver one another to teach Jacob and to continue His plan for His people.

GOD can use us, even with our character flaws that He wants to change, to accomplish His will and His plans. His ways are above ours, and we cannot understand all the ways His plans are completed. As a perfect Father, GOD wants what is best for us, even when we cannot see the outcome. We glorify Him when we trust and obey Him, and leave the results to the Almighty GOD who knows us, and knows what He wants to do in and through us.

Most of all, He wants us to reach out in love to those outside the Church, in ministry, in teaching, and in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He commands His Church, those He has purchased with His own blood on the Cross of Calvary, to minister to the hurting of this world as He provides and guides, to disciple one another in love and His Word, and to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness and Salvation through faith in what He has already done for sIn. We are commissioned to tell this lost and dying world of His love, and His just Judgment, that they may place their faith in His finished and perfect work on that cruel Roman Cross 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 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 unrighteousness and trust what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided forgiveness and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, and is our Life. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing and obtaineth favour of the LORD

6/27/2014

And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh: And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the GOD of Heaven, and the GOD of the Earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell: But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.
The LORD GOD of Heaven, which took me from my father's house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; He shall send His angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence. And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again.
Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the LORD: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good. Behold, Rebekah is before thee, take her, and go, and let her be thy master's son's wife, as the LORD hath spoken.
And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death. (Gen 24:2-4, 7-8, 50-51, 67)

Abraham now desires to find a wife for Isaac following his mother's death. Because of the promises from the Lord, he wants a wife from his own people and so he sends his servant back to Haran to find a wife from the people of Abraham that are there.
Under oath, the servant seeks the counsel of GOD and is led to Rebekah and her family. They recognize the hand of the Lord and are obedient to proceed with the arrangements. Rebekah is also obedient to the call of GOD to be Isaac's wife, and so she goes to him and becomes his wife.

While not a pattern for arranged marriages, or marriage without courtship and some agreement, this account does tell us that GOD can and does work in the affairs of men. He is not an uncaring and impersonal GOD who created and then ignores His creation. He shows us a little of what He is doing for His own Son, in calling a bride through His servant, and her obedience to trust Him. It also reveals to us something about what we call 'love' and marriage, that when both are following the will of the Lord, and understanding all aspects of love, that marriage is a commitment of one man and one woman for life not an arrangement based on feelings that change.

The Church, GOD's people, have lost sight of this in many ways, and become just like the world. We have based too many of our understandings, not on what GOD's says, but on how we feel, or what we want, or even the ways of the world instead of relying on the Word of GOD for our instructions. We should be trusting GOD for all aspects of our life, for it is no longer ours, but His, so that people will see GOD in us and want what we have. Then we have an opportunity to tell them the Gospel of Jesus Christ and that it is not what, but Who, and the Good News that comes from faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary that provides forgiveness and Salvation to all who 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. 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. Turn away from your sIn and unrighteousness and trust, as Rebekah and Isaac did, what He has already done on that cruel Roman cross. GOD, the Father has provided forgiveness and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, and is our Life. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, just as Rebekah responded to the call of Abraham to be the wife of Isaac.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

God made them male and female

5/13/2014

And the LORD GOD said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. And out of the ground the LORD GOD formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. And the LORD GOD caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and He slept: and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD GOD had taken from man, made He a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. (Gen 2:18-25)

Adam named all the animal kinds GOD brought to him, beast and fowl, and found no mate for himself, for all of them were unlike man. GOD made special provision for a perfect mate and help for Adam that would come from Adam. GOD created the woman who would be named Eve, the mother of all of Adam's descendants, and GOD brought them together in the institution and doctrine of marriage. One man, one woman, walking together in fellowship with their GOD, and not ashamed.

Of course, sIn would change all that, but here they are in perfect harmony with themselves and with GOD and GOD blessed it and called it very good. Adam, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, records this extended discussion of the events of day six in explanation and revelation of the details of male and female, and marriage, which were not revealed in GOD's chronological account of creation. We do well to study the doctrine and the source and origin of marriage so we can say, when asked or in defense of marriage, "Thus saith the Lord".

We are commanded to speak the Truth in love, to proclaim righteousness in the midst of perversion, to shine light into the darkness, and share the Good News of Jesus Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary for sIn and forgiveness to those that repent and believe. GOD has already judged all sIn as rebellion against Him and declared all of us guilty before Him. All of us are in need of Salvation and that is why Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, put on flesh and went willingly and humbly to that cruel Roman cross in our place.

He paid the debt we cannot pay, and freely offers forgiveness and Salvation to those who will turn from their sIn and turn to Him, surrendering to Him on His terms, and receive Him by faith in what He has already done. 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 Him and be born again, and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship that is abundant and everlasting. Leave this old broken sinful world, and cleave to Jesus Christ your only Salvation.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

The GOD of Peace make you perfect in every good work

2/25/2014

Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body. Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers GOD will judge. Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. (Heb 13:3-6)

As the author of Hebrews finishes here, he gives a series of instructions and closing comments about our behavior and attitudes. It is a reminder that since Christ is more excellent than all else, and faith in GOD is necessary and required then obedience and holiness is an expected part of the Christian life.

We are to live in obedience to His Word, making a clear and distinct difference between those of us who are in Christ, and those who are of this lost and dying world. If the world can't tell the difference how can they see their need of Him. We are to shine in the darkness, and be salt in this world that they might see, and be thirsty for the living water that only GOD provides.

Until the day Jesus Christ comes back, first for His own, and then to judge this earth and rule and reign His millennial Kingdom, we are to go and tell all who will hear of the love, mercy, and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. But, they must see it make a difference in the life we now life for Christ. We are to be dead to ourselves, and alive in Christ, and then when we have earned the right to be heard we can share what GOD is doing in us and the message of Hope and Salvation that is the Good News of Jesus Christ.

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 Him that is real and personal. Believe His Word and trust His sacrifice in your place for forgiveness, and you will be born again. 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 Him by faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary for Salvation today.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

One Man, One Woman

1/14/2013

Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. (Hebrews 13:4)

This statement of fact is hard for some, especially those that want their 'fun' outside of a monogamous committed marriage relationship, to accept. GOD is not mocked, and those that claim the Name of Christ are held to this even more than those outside the Church. The absolute institution of marriage, between one man and one woman, as long as they both shall live; and forsaking ALL others was established by GOD. No amount of government silliness, or liberal redefining the arrangement can change that. Those that would act out any other activity other than that which GOD has blessed, are guilty before Him, and will answer to Him for their sIn. If you are involved in any activity outside the bond of marriage as GOD instituted it, you are violating GOD's Holy Law and denying GOD and His Word on the subject won't change your sIn. Your only response is to repent; to agree with GOD, and surrender to Him on His terms, forsaking your sIn.

But if you are not in Christ, if you have never received Him by Faith for the forgiveness of sIn following repentance and surrender to Him on His terms; you are not excused, you are guilty of all sIn and will stand before Him for your sIn. Only the blood of Jesus can cleanse us from the sIn that we have all committed. He loves you enough that He died for you and wants you to enter into that covenant relationship with Him.

Whether you are a lost sinner in need of Christ or a Christian outside the will of GOD; GOD calls you to Himself, respond in faith and believe His Word.

Remember, if you are angry about today's subject, that I didn't write it; I just tell you what's in it. I am not the Holy Spirit, I just work for Him.

In Christ,
Jefferson A. Sweet

Blessed be the LORD

But every man hath his proper gift of GOD

In the beginning GOD

Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction

The LORD of Hosts who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in working

Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing and obtaineth favour of the LORD

God made them male and female

The GOD of Peace make you perfect in every good work

One Man, One Woman

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