Personal Thoughts and Ministry

His eyes are upon their ways.

5/2/2016

Why, seeing times are not hidden from the Almighty, do they that know Him not see his days?
They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof.
In the dark they dig through houses, which they had marked for themselves in the daytime: they know not the light. For the morning is to them even as the shadow of death: if one know them, they are in the terrors of the shadow of death. He is swift as the waters; their portion is cursed in the earth: he beholdeth not the way of the vineyards. Drought and heat consume the snow waters: so doth the grave those which have sinned. The womb shall forget him; the worm shall feed sweetly on him; he shall be no more remembered; and wickedness shall be broken as a tree. (Job 24:1, 16-20)

     Job continues his diatribe against his friends wrong view of the wicked, justice, and GOD as he declares that GOD's ways are not our own, nor His timing. The wicked certainly must receive the recompense for their deeds and their sin against a Holy and Righteous GOD who judges rightfully. But it will be in GOD'S good timing, for GOD takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, not does He desire that they perish without repentance and the opportunity to turn from their wicked ways and receive His free gift of Salvation. He is long-suffering and is giving all who will come to Him the time to do so, but the days of His patience will come to an end, and He will judge those that oppose Him.

     The wicked may seem to be prospering in this life, for prosperity and worldly wisdom and possessions are no indicator of Holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. But, poverty and dire circumstances are no sign of a life devoted to GOD either. GOD certainly blesses His own, but not necessarily in what we possess, and He corrects and chastises those who are His as well. The Spirit of Christ, received by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary and repentance of our sins, is the only true indicator of who is in Christ and who is not, and by their fruit shall we know them.

     GOD is working in His own to produce fruit and accomplish His will and do His work in this sinful and broken world. We are called to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need, with the Word of righteousness and reconciliation, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. We are commanded to love one another as He loved us, and to disciple one another in His Word that we may grow thereby and be conformed to the image of His dear Son. We have been commissioned to go with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and as we go in the power of the Holy Spirit wherever He send us, to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father to those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, that in believing they might 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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If we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him

11/13/2015

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Nevertheless the foundation of GOD standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His. And, Let every one that nameth the Name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the Master's use, and prepared unto every good work. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (2Ti 2:19-22)

     Those who are truly in Christ by grace through faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary and our repentance and His forgiveness not only want to live lives of holiness and sacrificial service to our Lord, but want less of ourselves and more of Him as we sojourn here, strangers and pilgrims in, but not of, this broken and sinful world. We are secure in His hands, not because we have, or even could, earn anything, but because of His grace and mercy.

     Cleansed by His blood, resurrected to walk in newness of life, a new creature in Christ to serve the Master, we are His body, the Church. We are here to do His work and will, not to earn or keep what He has given out of love, but because He is Lord, and because we love Him who first loved us. Made holy by our relationship with Jesus Christ, we are to follow after righteousness and seek holiness in our lives, without which no one will see the Lord, that we may please Him who hath chosen us to be a soldier in His army, and workers in His fields, throughly furnished unto all good works by His Word and empowered by His Spirit.

     We labour in Christ, not for the rewards of this world which will not last, but for Him. We strive, not with men or with foolish arguments, but to know and do the will and work of GOD. We work, not for His great Salvation, but because He has given us His grace and we are now in Him and He is us, to bring forth fruit for the Kingdom, and glorify our Father which is in Heaven. He has called us to minister to those around us, as His ambassadors, who are hurting and in need as He provides blessings on us. He has commanded us to love one another and to grow in grace and the knowledge of Him as His disciples, not above our Master, but as our Lord and Saviour, being conformed to His image through His Word. We are commissioned to His service and as His witnesses, taking the Gospel to those who are headed for an eternity without Christ in this lost and dying world, and as we go, sharing Him with others so that those who hear and believe the Good News of Jesus Christ in repentance and faith might 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 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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Be thou partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel

11/10/2015

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Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. (2Ti 2:1-7)

     Standing strong in the faith is our duty, not to earn Salvation, for that is already paid for by His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, nor to keep our relationship secure, for He is the one who holds us in His hand, as good soldiers and ambassadors for the Kingdom of GOD. We are not to shirk or spoil the Cross we bear, for we are not above our Master. Our faith in Jesus Christ, not just a good teacher, for He was, and is, much more than that, He is GOD in the flesh, demands a strong stand in Doctrine. He rightfully demands as our Lord, obedient repentance to His reproof and correction. The Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Saviour of all who trust in Him and Him alone for reconciliation with the Father, has called, commanded, and commissioned our obedience to His Instructions in righteousness.

     We are to strive, not with men, but with our crucified flesh and old nature, that we may through Christ and His power over sin be victorious in this life, living in Him and He in us, the abundant and everlasting life here and now. We are to labour, not for the fruits and rewards of this life, which will pass away, but for eternal blessings, doing the will and the work of our Almighty GOD. We are to teach, not the doctrines of men or of devils, but the very Words of GOD that all may know Him in Truth and receive His great Salvation by grace through faith.

      Our retirement may be out of this world, our crowns waiting for us at the Throne of GOD, but we can and do see the fruits of our labours, in those who repent and are reconciled with GOD through forgiveness and faith, from the Word we share, live, and preach. We see lives changed as we minister to those around us who are hurting and in need. We see the body strengthened to the work, as we love one another and disciple one another in the Word. We see lost people saved by the power of GOD when we share His Good News with others as we go, and see those that believe the Gospel and repent receive 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 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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The Doctrine which is according to Godliness

11/4/2015

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Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (1Ti 6:5-10)

     Those that prevert the Word and their preaching of it for gain corrupt not only their testimony but their followers. Those that pursue gain, for gain's sake, desiring the riches of this world, and accounting it as the blessing of GOD, are deceived and deluded, following the false god of mammon. Those in the faith must choose constantly to follow GOD, and not be distracted by the desire to get beyond what GOD provides, for we either serve GOD, or mammon. We must choose, and choose wisely, to trust GOD to provide for our needs, or seek the world's ways, the world's wisdom, and the world's riches thinking that we are then successful and rich.

      The bank accounts of those who gather many followers by easy words and fair speeches might be full, and their buildings and ministries may seem to be blessed for the moment, but they will stand before GOD in judgment for every word and deed which they have spoken, as will we. Ministers and Pastors more so because of their calling and responsibility, but all will face our Lord, either in judgment for sIn without Christ, or in judgment for what we did in and for Christ. We who are safe and secure in Christ must no think that we are somehow immune from the chastisement and judgment of GOD, for He is just and while He will not judge us for our sins, for those have been paid for by His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, He will judge our actions and motives, and our deeds which we accomplish in His Name, and whether it was in vain or not.

    Our Lord and our GOD calls, commands, and has commissioned His Church to a life of missions, ministry, and discipleship. As His ambassadors, we are to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need, as GOD provides and blesses us to the work of the ministry. As His disciples, we are to love one another as He loved us, and continue to disciple one another in His Word, being conformed, not to this world, but to the image of His dear Son. As His witnesses, we are to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and as we go, proclaim the righteousness of Christ, repentance of sIn, and the Good News of reconciliation with the Father to this lost and dying world, that those who hear, repent, and believe in Him and Him alone might 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 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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I will come again and receive you unto Myself

10/19/2015

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But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will GOD bring with Him. For this we say unto you by the Word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of GOD: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1Th 4:13-18)

     There is coming a day, we know not when, that our Lord will return for His own. All those who are secure in Jesus Christ because of our repentance of our sIn, having turned to GOD and brought forth works meet for repentance, and our faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, will be caught up to be with Jesus, and ever more be with Him and where He is. He will call out to those in the graves, come forth, and all who hear His voice will rise to meet Him in the air. He will call to His own, come up hither, and we who are alive when He recalls His ambassadors, will rise up to meet our Lord. Such great comfort and hope in His promise and assurance.

      We are to be ready for the trumpet call, for we know not when our Lord shall return. We are to be found faithful, and doing His work for the Kingdom, not to earn our way, for that is already paid for, or to keep what He has given us, for He is the one who has secured us and reconciled us to GOD, but that our Lord might say, well done, thou good and faithful servant, when we give an account of what we did in and through Him who is our strength. The Commander of the Lord's Army will return in His good time, and we must be about our Father's business of missions and ministry, discipleship, and evangelism, until He is done with us and comes back to bring us with Him as He promised.

     Until that day, we continue resting in Him because of His great Salvation, not from our circumstances, but from our sIn, and doing that which He has called, commanded, and commissioned us to do. We minister to those around us who are hurting and in need that they may see Jesus in us, the hope of Glory. We love one another, as He has loved us, and disciple one another in the Word, that we may grow thereby. We go with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and as we go, in the power of the Holy Spirit, we share with those who will hear from His Word, the Good News of forgiveness and reconciliation with the Father, that they might believe and 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 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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Whatever ye do in word or deed, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus

10/8/2015

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Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing GOD: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. (Col 3:18-25)

     Our relationships and interactions must always be one of respect and love in the Lord. Loving one another and treating others as we want to be treated, whether our spouse, our family, our coworkers and those in authority over us, and all to the Glory of GOD. For those in Christ, we shall not be judged for our sins, but we shall rewarded and suffer loss for that which we have done in and for Christ. If we look to the eternal in our relationships and in whatever interactions we have with others, He is glorified and exalted in our obedience to His Word.

     GOD wants us to serve Him and Glorify Him who is our being in all that we do. Wives submit to their husbands as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands love our wives as He loved the Church and gave Himself for it. Children obey in the Lord in all things, as The Son of GOD who is GOD the Son obeyed His Father. Fathers discipline in love as our Heavenly Father chastises us. Workers obey the boss here because our Heavenly Master will reward our service to Him. GOD will reward those who obey Him, but we do so, not because it pleases Him, but because of our love for Him who loved us, and gave Himself for us and our faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary.

     For those who are born again, we serve Him not to gain Heaven or keep that which GOD has given by grace through faith and repentance, but in obedience to Him and faith in His Word which teaches us of Him. We serve others around us as He directs and provides, ministering to those who are hurting and in need, that they may see Jesus in us, the hope of Glory. We serve one another in love and disciple one another in His Word through the Spirit of GOD who indwells those who are His until all have grown to the full measure of Him, conformed to the image of His dear Son. We go with one another in the power of the Holy Spirit and with the Gospel of Jesus Christ to this lost and dying world, and as we go we tell all who will hear of reconciliation with the Father and the Good News of forgiveness that He has paid for, that those who repent and believe might 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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His eyes are upon their ways.

If we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him

Be thou partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel

The Doctrine which is according to Godliness

I will come again and receive you unto Myself

Whatever ye do in word or deed, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus

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