Each time I recite the words of the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, I am reminded of how this nation has failed people of color. That notwithstanding, the Lord God of the universe has been faithful. There is no failure in God. The purpose of this writing is not to vilify this country (the powers that be do not need my help, they are quite proficient at doing so), but rather my purpose is to glorify the God of whom we serve. To do that, let me quote the Old Testament character, Hannah, the wife of Elkanah, the mother of Samuel. Here are portions of the “Song of Hannah”:

*My heart rejoices in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.
* There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none besides thee: neither is there any rock like our God.
* The bows of the mighty man are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.
* The Lord killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bring it up. The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. He raises up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and he hath set the world upon them.

As we celebrate the accomplishments of people of color, remember, “My heart (and I hope, yours) rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn (strength) is exalted in the Lord.”

Be blessed during Black History Month.
Pastor J. Amos Jones

On today we celebrate and honor our Deacons and Trustees as they affirm their Christian servanthood. Join this Pastor as we examine this day. 

Affirm: To say positively; declare firmly; assert to be true.

Affirmation: The act of affirming or declaring, a confirming.

On this day the Deacons are saying unequivocally that they are servants of the Most High and to the people of His church. The office of Deacon was born out of a need to organize the distribution of food to the poor. The Apostles needed to focus on preaching, so they chose others to administer the food program. The Apostles’ priorities were correct. The ministry of the word should never be neglected because of administrative burdens. Those men chosen did not take this administrative task lightly. Notice the requirements for the men who were to handle the food program. They were to be well respected and full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. Spiritual leadership is serious business and must not be taken lightly by the church or the leaders. Deacons must be honest, spiritually mature, caring, with an Act 6:3 sensibility.  On this day the Deacons are declaring that is who they are, Biblical Deacons.

And for our Trustees, they are administrators like Joseph in Genesis, chapters 41-47. To the Deacons and Trustees, the church honors your commitment to the Lord Jesus and His church.

Be blessed as you serve in spirit and in truth.

Pastor J. Amos Jones

By definition, a habit is an act repeated so often by an individual that it has become automatic with him/her. A pattern of action that is acquired and has become so automatic that it is difficult to control. So, let’s discuss breaking bad habits.

To break bad habits, we must first of all rely on the Holy Spirit’s power. As with dealing with Satan, we must submit ourselves to God. We know that greater is He that is within us than he that is in the world. Habits are acts emanating from the soul realm or the flesh. Hear the word of the Lord: “…Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” (Gal. 5:16). Thus, being led by the Holy Spirit involves the desire to hear, the readiness to obey God’ word, and the sensitivity to discern between your feelings and His promptings. In  Colossians 3:5-17, we are given some help in “behavior modification” i.e.: breaking bad habits. In verse eight, Paul’s words to “put off” these sins can also be translated, “Lay aside the old self and put on the new.” This action was not so mystical but practical and moral. Many bad habits are self-destructive; hence the apostle says in verse five “Mortify therefore your members…” What he means is we should consider ourselves dead and unresponsive to bad habits. Here is a quick test to determine if this is a bad habit: Does what we say or do glorify God and/or honor man? If not, perhaps we should not say or do it.

Pastor J. Amos Jones

In Luke 19, Jesus tells the parable of the king’s ten servants. In the parable a certain nobleman delivered unto each of his servants an amount of money with these instructions: “Occupy till I come.” In the parable there is an account of three of the servants. Two of the servants invested the king’s money and got a good return on their investments.  One other of the servants held on to his master’s money and got no return on what he was given. The king was very hard on this man who had failed to get an increase on the money.  At this point, dear readers, some of you are asking, “Where are you going with this story?” As we go into a new year we are to “Occupy till He come.”  We have been given excellent resources to build and expand God’s Kingdom. Jesus expects us to use these talents for the expansion of the Kingdom. We must be found working for the Master. 

Take a lesson from Jesus as He speaks in John 9:4: “I must work the works of Him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” 2024 is a year for being more effective in our witness.  “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:  and ye shall be witnesses unto me…(Acts 1:8)

Dear ones,  it is our time, we are occupying until He returns.   Be blessed as you serve.

Pastor J Amos Jones

There are many, this Pastor included, that will characterize Friendship Baptist Church as a “good church.” The question then begs to be asked, what is a good church? There are those who will say facetiously, “Friendship gives a lot of money away in helping people pay rent, pay light bills,” etc., which then makes us a “good church” to the recipient of those funds. While Friendship does have a helpful benevolent program, that is a superficial answer.  What makes a “good church” is a profound question whose answer lies in the pages of the Holy writ.

 A good church is one where there is agape love. Love that is vertical and love that is horizontal. Love for God and love for His creation. Hear the words of Jesus; “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” (Mt. 22:37). Christians should live in perfect harmony. Paul calls it “perfectness” in Col. 3:14. This does not eliminate all differences in opinion, but loving Christians will work together despite their differences.

 A “good church” is one where there is unity. It is possible to believe in Christ, work hard for His Kingdom, and yet have broken relationships with others who are committed to the same cause. Example, Euodias and Syntyche, members of the Philippian church, (Phil. 4:2). These two women had been workers for Christ in the church.  Their broken relationship was no small matter because many had become believers through their efforts.

A “good church” is one where sound doctrine is taught and preached. Paul says, “…the gospel… is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” (Romans 1:16). To Titus, Paul says “speak thou the things which become sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1).  I submit that FMBC is a loving, unified church where sound doctrine is taught and preached.

Pastor J Amos Jones