Personal Thoughts and Ministry

They were as sheep not having a shepherd

6/7/2016

And He went out from thence, and came into His own country; and His disciples follow Him. And when the Sabbath day was come, He began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing Him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at Him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And He could there do no mighty work, save that He laid His hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And He marvelled because of their unbelief. And He went round about the villages, teaching. (Mar 6:1-6)

      Christ came unto His own, but His own received Him not. The people of His own neighborhood thought they knew who He was, but they did not understand His person or His power, so they were astonished at His teachings. Because of their lack of faith and unbelief, Jesus did not do as many of all the mighty works which He had done elsewhere. The people were only looking with the eyes of the flesh and with their understanding of Jesus as a man, and not realizing He was the Son of GOD who was GOD the Son, the Word made flesh, which was now with them, and that He spoke with the Authority of GOD, and the Truth of Scripture, and wisdom which is from above. They only saw the son of Mary, who was of their village, and his half brothers and sisters who were all known to them, and his earthly vocation as a carpenter. They didn't understand His Father's work and the ministry of reconciliation and redemption that Christ had come to provide.

      Many of our own families may not understand or believe those of us who are in Christ, because they know us. Only through the Spirit of GOD and the Word of GOD working in their hearts can they be healed of the spiritual blindness of which they are afflicted. We must be faithful to do the work of GOD and accomplish His will, not our own agenda or seek our way, but surrendered fully to our Lord and walking by faith in the Spirit that others may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory, and desire that which we have received by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. Those of us who have acknowledged our sin before a righteous and holy GOD and repented of that sin, forsaking this world and our lives, for the new life which Christ has purchased for us, and promises to those who believe, are born again, and now walk with Him and in Him the lives we were meant to live.

     We who are in Christ walk by faith, not to remain in sin, or to walk in our own desires, but crucified to the flesh, and reckoning ourselves dead to sin, to the Law, and to this world with its lusts, desires, and pride, we live in the Spirit and glorify the Father in all we do. We serve Him who is our Redeemer, as ministers of reconciliation and ambassadors of the King to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need, with the Word of righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken. We love one another because He first loved us and we are members one of another, and we disciple one another in His Word that we may grow in grace and in the knowledge of Him who is our Master. We proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son because we have believed the Gospel of Jesus Christ and as we go in the Spirit of GOD we want others to know of Him 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 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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Glory to GOD in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men

12/24/2015

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During this 'most wonderful time of the year' let us put aside any controversy about the time or the date or the traditions.

Let us remember JESUS.

Let us not be like Zacharias and have doubts.
Let us not be like the inn too busy and too full for HIM.
Let us not be like Herod and Jerusalem intolerant and troubled by HIS Kingship.
Let us not be like the Priests and Scribes knowing the scriptures but indifferent to the Messiah.

Instead, let us join with Gabriel and announce HIS Coming.
Let us join with Mary and surrender to HIS will, pondering all things.
Let us join HIS cousin John and leap for joy.
Let us join the Angel host and proclaim HIS praises.
Let us join the shepherds and find HIM, telling all who will hear of WHOM we have found.
Let us join the wise men and worship CHRIST, presenting ourselves and our gifts to HIM.

AMEN

Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!

Jefferson, Glenda, Abigail, and David

The Sweets

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Be strong and of a good courage

11/30/2015

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Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the Law, which Moses My servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This Book of the Law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy GOD is with thee whithersoever thou goest. (Jos 1:7-9)

      Having finished our journey through Paul's letters, we now shift once again to the history of the OT. Here in Joshua we will work our way through the travels and travails of the Jewish people under the direction of Joshua who succeeded Moses as the Leader and under-shepherd of GOD's people. We will review their campaigns, their conquests, and their failures, and seek to understand the message GOD has for us from His Word as we study the historical context and the current application.

     Joshua was not to fear the assignment or be weak in leadership but was to focus on GOD and His Word. GOD had already given Joshua, through Moses, every thing he needed to prosper under the mighty hand of GOD. The Lord would be with them and guide them to victory and success if they would hear and obey. If they departed from His Word and went their own way, they would be chastised, suffer calamity, or defeated.

     We are to understand, that though the Christians life is not easy, living in Christ means we surrender ourselves, we reckon ourselves dead, that He might live in us, and shew Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him. We are to reflect Christ who is our Lord, and not walk our own way. We are to know and follow His Word, rightly divided, and live in Him as His Spirit leads us into all Truth. We are not to fear what is ahead, or what man may do, for our GOD is with us, He will never leave us nor forsake us, He is our help, and we have the Spirit of love, and of power, and of a sound mind, and are to rest in Him in faith and obedience.

      Having entered into His spiritual rest because of our faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary and received Him by faith, we now do His work in this lost and dying world, not to earn or keep what He has freely given to those who repent and trust Him, but because of His mercy and grace. We serve, as His ambassadors, with the Word of reconciliation, to those around us who are hurting and in need. We disciple one another in the Word of Truth that we may grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. We share the Gospel of Jesus Christ every where GOD sends us, and as we go, tell all who will hear of His love, mercy, and grace, that those who receive the Good News and repent of their sins 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 am the good shepherd and I lay down My life for the sheep.

7/2/2015

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Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before Me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. (Joh 10:7-13)

    Jesus Christ is the only way of Salvation, the only path to the Father, the only true righteousness, in this life and the next. ALL others that come, with another way, another gospel, or adding to what Christ has done, are false, thieving, hirelings who keep people from finding joy, peace, and grace in Christ Jesus. Jesus gave His life for our sins, to pay our debt, that we might have life in Him, and be reconciled with the Father. He is the only hope for us in this world and the next.

    To enter into His rest, we all must go through Him, the door to the sheepfold, whether you are of this sheepfold, the Jews, or of the other, the Gentiles, you must enter through faith in Jesus Christ and His finished and perfect work of the Cross of Calvary with repentance and surrender to Him on His terms. That is the only way to GOD the Father. We come to Him by faith in the Son and the power of the Holy Ghost which guides us into all Truth through His Word and gives us life.

    Those who are in Christ, who are born again and know Him by a personal relationship through faith and repentance are on mission to be His servants while we are here. We are called, as His ambassadors, to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He gives the increase that they may see Jesus in us, the hope of Glory. As His disciples, we are commanded to love one another and to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour through His Word, that all may know we are His disciples. We are commissioned to take GOD's Word and proclaim the Gospel to this lost and dying world, that those who hear and believe the Good News of Jesus Christ 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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Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind

12/10/2014

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But He said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; How he entered into the house of GOD, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? Or have ye not read in the Law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless? But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day. (Mat 12:3-8)

    Our GOD has His commandments and expects us to keep them, not because we have to earn our way into the Kingdom, for we cannot; nor can we keep ourselves there on our own efforts. No, we keep His commandments, out of love for Him, and obedience to our Heavenly Father. We don't keep them in any way outside the character and nature of our Father, wresting the Scriptures to our own destruction. Nor, do we bind the keeping of them as burdens upon others, especially those without that have no hope. Salvation is a free gift from GOD, already purchased by His own blood on that tree, and we must not keep people away by our formality and legalism, that those who are lost cannot understand.

    Our Lord is Lord of the sabbath as well, for He created us for Himself, knows we need to rest, and is worthy of our worship of Him. He does not demand that we remember His creation, honour and glorify Him, nor rest our souls in any particular way, other than in Spirit and in Truth. He does not dictate which day, or any day, for He is Lord every day, and those of us who know Him, acknowledge our Lord, Saviour, and King, every day, while resting in Him, and worshipping more than just one day a week. We ought not to get caught up in man's rules, nor following other sheep, but hearing the voice of our Master, and doing His Will in accordance with His Word.

    No matter when you obediently worship the Lord, you must not do so in a way that hinders others who worship on a different day, nor can you devote your 'witness' to converting other believers who rest in Him differently than you do. We are to be about His business, and are to seek Him in the Scriptures. We must not be distracted by wolves in sheep, or shepherd's clothing, that would take us away from the simplicity and liberty that is in Christ.

    All days belong to GOD, and He commands us to use our time wisely; ministering as His ambassadors to those who are hurting, without condemnation. We are to disciple one another in the Word of GOD, not in demands and rules, but in love, so that all may know we are His disciples indeed. Above all, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness and mercy that comes to those who put their faith and trust in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, even while teaching the Truth about the judgments of our GOD upon the wicked, so that those who hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ may believe 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 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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I AM the good Shepherd that lays down His life for the sheep

12/3/2014

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And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith He unto His disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest. (Mat 9:35-38)

    During His earthly ministry Jesus went all over Judah, even Samaria, and Galilee, teaching, healing, and ministering to hurting folks of all kinds, and fulfilling the Scriptures. He had compassion, not only as a man, but because He was GOD in the flesh, and knew the real needs of these people. While physical healing was good for the moment, everyone who was healed would die of something, for death comes to all men. The real issue, and their biggest need was for spiritual healing and reconciliation with the Father, through faith in the Messiah.

    Jesus knew that everyone needs to be born again, and forgiven by faith in Him. He came to this earth, and shewed Himself to be the Messiah that the Jews had waited for. When all was fulfilled, He willingly and humbly submitted to the Father's will and went steadfast and determined to the Cross of Calvary in our place. Because of His faithfulness, and our faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on that cruel Roman cross, we have Hope. Hope in this world, and in the next, through forgiveness of our sIn, and a right relationship with GOD the Father, through GOD the Son who is the Son of GOD, and the indwelling presence of the Spirit of GOD.

    Indwelt by GOD, through GOD the Holy Spirit, we are to minister as He did, to go out to the people with compassion and meet their needs as GOD directs and provides. We are His ambassadors, and are to share His love and the Gospel of the Kingdom with all who will hear. As we go, we disciple one another in His Word and in love, that all may know that we are His disciples. As we go out into the harvest, this lost and dying world, we are to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to all those around us, so that they may believe 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 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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GOD will have them in derision

10/24/2013

The fool hath said in his heart, There is no GOD. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good. GOD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek GOD. Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up My people as they eat bread: they have not called upon GOD. There were they in great fear, where no fear was: for GOD hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth against Thee: Thou hast put them to shame, because GOD hath despised them. Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When GOD bringeth back the captivity of His people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad. (Psalms 53:1-6)

There have always been people who rejected GOD and His Salvation. GOD calls them fools, for they deny their only hope in this life and the next. Those that oppose themselves in order to shake their fist in GOD's face and deny Him, while trying to save themselves from their own destruction.

Even worse are those that are His, and at least claiming to be, and yet they deny the Lord that bought them. The only thing worse than a sheep in wolf's clothing, is a shepherd in wolves clothing, for the sheep follow him to destruction.

GOD always has a remnant though, that are true to Him, and keep His Word and do His work, not because we have to, but because we want to. We preach Christ crucified and raised again, not only because it is the only salvation from our sIn, but because of what GOD has done in our life through the Cross and through the Blood. The One who created us, has redeemed us out of every nation, tongue, and tribe and will present us to GOD the Father as His bride, holy and spotless because of His finished work to pay our sIn debt.

Those that don't know Him are unclean, separated from GOD because of their sIn, and unless you repent, surrender to Him on His terms, you shall likewise perish. But, GOD is not willing that any should perish. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. He commands you to be born again and wants you to receive by faith in Him a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. Rejoice with Israel, and praise with Jacob the Salvation that comes from Jesus Christ.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

Judgement begins at the House of GOD

10/15/2013

Thou makest us a byword among the heathen, a shaking of the head among the people. My confusion is continually before me, and the shame of my face hath covered me,
Though Thou hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death. If we have forgotten the Name of our GOD, or stretched out our hands to a strange god; Shall not GOD search this out? for He knoweth the secrets of the heart.
Wherefore hidest thou Thy face, and forgettest our affliction and our oppression? For our soul is bowed down to the dust: our belly cleaveth unto the earth. Arise for our help, and redeem us for Thy mercies' sake. (Psalms 44:14-15, 19-21, 24-26)

There are those even within the Church, that have left their first Love, and being busy with things of the flesh, forget GOD. They continue in the works which they began, but GOD is no longer their strength, and so their efforts are for nought. Abandoned to the dry places, both in growth and in the spirit, they know not that they are dead.

GOD will not leave us orphans, nor will He completely abandon His Church, but He has said that He will put out the candlestick of those congregations that deny Him in practice, even with His Name on their lips, and over their door. GOD knows who are His, and He will chastise His own. Judgement begins at the House of GOD.

GOD will respond to those that repent, and return to Him. He will bind up our wounds, and expose our weaknesses. He will restore the broken-hearted that come to Him on His terms.

If you are one of His and you seem to be wandering, or away from GOD, remember He has not forsaken you. If He is afar off, then it is we that have strayed, and the Good Shepherd will bring us back to His fold. He is mighty to save.

But if you don't know Him, His command for you is to repent and be born again. Unless you surrender to GOD on His terms and turn from your sIn, you are under judgement for your sIn. But, GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Believe His Word and receive Him by faith in His finished work on the Cross of Calvary and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting.

My sheep hear My voice and they follow Me.

9/24/2013

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His Name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the House of the LORD for ever. (Psalms 23:1-6)

What a picture of our Lord this presents; Provider, Shelter, Salvation, Rest. And the three Psalms together show us a timeline of History that was not perceived at the time it was written. The Cross, The Christian age, The millenial Kingdom. Jesus Christ goes from The sacrificial lamb on the Cross to the Saving Shepherd of the Church to the Sovereign King of all Creation.

The promises that GOD gives us in His watchcare and provision, His correction and guidance, and protection and presence are all presented here in this passage. So much can be said because our GOD is an Awesome GOD. He gives us so much more than we can even imagine. He provides our needs, He provided our Salvation and continues to care for us, so we don't fear. He teaches and chastens from His Word so we trust and obey. He stands strong on our behalf so we at peace and rest, and He is present with always, so we are safe and secure.

Make no mistake, those in Christ, who have been born again, don't have it easy in this life. This psalm does not mean that we will not be tempted, or tried, or even persecuted. But despite the effects of this sinful broken world on us, and those that oppose GOD and the things of GOD, we perservere because He is faithful and keeps His Word and His promises. Whether you are of GOD's Jewish flock by faith in the Messiah, Jesus Christ, or you are of His other flock, a Gentile Christian by the power of GOD, if you have exercised saving faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary, you are one of His and He will keep you until the end.

But, only those that know Jesus Christ, who have repented of their sIn, and surrendered to GOD on His terms can be accepted into the beloved and hold to these promises. GOD is not willing that any should perish, Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. He calls you to Himself that you may receive by faith a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. Believe His Word and enter into His fold that you may rest in Him today and forever.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

GOD is the Good Shepherd

8/16/2013

Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the Word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require My flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver My flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them. For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search My sheep, and seek them out. As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out My sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. (Ezekiel 34:9-12)

GOD is doing a work in the people of the Jews. He had already judged and dispersed the majority of the ten northern tribes of Israel, and now He told Ezekiel of what was going to happen to Judah and Jerusalem. GOD was cleaning house, and one of His targets was the false teachers and pastors who were instructing the Jews falsely. They spread their doctrine of lies and rebellion and called it good, but GOD is going to remove them and purify His people. Like a good shepherd Himself, He is going to go through His flock and gather together the faithful and obedient, and purge those that didn't belong and the disobedient.

GOD chastises and purges His Church as well. He calls His people to be discerning and not to let those that preach another gospel, or any other heresy into our pulpits. We are to disciple and when necessary discipline our own. We must be true to GOD's Word and speak it with Authority, faithful to His commands to love one another, and obedient to share the Good News of Jesus Christ and His finished work on the Cross of Calvary for our Salvation to those that are not yet a part of the Church of GOD.

If that is you, because you have never trusted Jesus Christ and surrendered to Him on His terms, GOD calls you to repent. Believe His Word and receive His free gift of Salvation and 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. Receive Him by Faith for forgiveness of your sIn debt and be born again today.

In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet

They were as sheep not having a shepherd

Glory to GOD in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men

Be strong and of a good courage

I am the good shepherd and I lay down My life for the sheep.

Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind

I AM the good Shepherd that lays down His life for the sheep

GOD will have them in derision

Judgement begins at the House of GOD

My sheep hear My voice and they follow Me.

GOD is the Good Shepherd

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