Archives for September 2009
From the Pastor’s Desk September 13th Edition
In the very recent past, the Friendship Church family has experienced the reality of death in a very personal way. Death, of whom the Bible declares is “the last enemy that shall be destroyed.” Dear Ones, it is comforting to know that Christ will reign until He has put all enemies under His feet. We then can join the Apostle Paul in declaring: “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38, 39). God loves us with an everlasting love, as evidenced by how He will take a perishable, dishonorable, weak (and sinful) body – “a natural body” characterized by sin – and in the resurrection make it an imperishable, glorious, powerful body, fit to live eternally with Him. The reality is, in the midst of life, there is death. Therefore, “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Mercies, and the God of all
comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God “ (2 Cor. 1:3-4).
God! The source our comfort, provides comfort for us that we may c
omfort otherswho are in trouble. Be blessed as we follow Him.
Pastor J. Amos Jones
From the Pastor’s Desk: September 6th Edition
An introspective review of the last thirty-six years speaks with clarion clarity to the mindset of David recorded in chapter seven of 2 Samuel. In this chapter, God has made an unconditional covenant with David, grounded only in God’s firm and gracious purpose. The covenant promises are so awesome that David is overwhelmed by the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord.
Hear David in verse 18: “Then went King David in, and sat before the Lord, and he said, who am I, O Lord God? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?” That could very well be this Pastor. David acknowledges the sovereignty of God, the awesomeness and the goodness of God. It seems as if David is saying, “Lord, you have uniquely blessed me, and that beyond all others.” God has uniquely blessed this Pastor and this church. When we came to Friendship in 1973, we were confident that the Lord was going to do a great work, and I must tell you, that He has!
To God be the glory! God has given us joy for the journey, people with a purpose, and His perpetual presence. Moreover, we have His assurance that the best is yet to come. Therefore, let the celebration continue.
Pastor J. Amos Jones