New year, new you. It is the desire of this Pastor that none of you will buy into this meaningless phrase. If you are a born-again Christian, who is positionally in the Lord Jesus Christ, you ARE new. “Therefore if any man (person) be in Christ, he (or she) is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Cor. 5:17) Christians are brand new on the inside. Year after year we enjoy the new life given to us by the Holy Spirit. We are not reformed, rehabilitated, or reeducated – we are new creations! What then, should be the position of the believer as we enter into a new year? Hear the Apostle Paul: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:10-11) New year, stronger you.

Dear Ones, be strong in the new year 2024. Please note, the admonition is “be strong.” Which tells us we can do it. David approached his “be strong” this way: “My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word” (Ps. 119:28). According unto thy word!

To be strong in 2024, appropriate God’s word into your life and rest in Him. The Lord, Jehovah, tells us in Zechariah 10:12: “And I will strengthen them (His people) in the Lord; and they shall walk up and down in His name, saith at the Lord.” Three words for 2024:

• Word one: “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Ps. 119:11)
• Word two: “Thy testimonies also are my delight and my
  counsellors. (Ps. 119: 24)
• Word three : “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Ps. 119:105)

Happy New Year!
Pastor J Amos Jones

It is interesting how the gospel writers  in the books of  John and Luke speak to the advent of Jesus unto this people planet. John tells us that “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1). “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) John’s description shows clearly that he is speaking of Jesus, the creator of the universe, the ultimate revelation of God, the living picture of God’s holiness, the one by whom “all things consist”. (Colossians 1:17) John shows Jesus as fully human and fully God. Although Jesus took upon Himself full humanity and lived as a man, He never ceased to be the eternal God who has always existed, the creator and sustainer of all things, and the source of eternal life. Luke goes into great detail in pointing out the circumstances of the birth of Jesus. “And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2: 4-7 ) In a summary fashion: “When the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.” (Galatians 4:4)

Merry Christmas!

Pastor J. Amos Jones

Friendship Missionary Baptist Church is the local church in the Four Corners Community.  Having said that, F.M.B.C. is also a part of the church, the Bride of Christ. We are members of the Body of Christ.  Paul says in Ephesians 1:22-23: “And hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is His body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all.”  Do you see it? Christ is the head, and we are the body of His church.  The image of the body shows the church’s unity.  Each member is involved with all the others as they go about doing Christ’s work on earth.  However, it is our relationship with Christ, the Head, that empowers every member as we continue our earthly so-journ.  “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ” (Romans 12:4-5a).

Here, Paul uses the concept of the human body to teach how Christians should live and work together.  Just as the parts of the body function under the direction of the brain, so Christians are to work together under the command and authority of Jesus Christ.  You are reminded by this Pastor quite often that “We are all in this together.”  Dear Ones, we are told that the fullness of Him fills and completes all things in all believers. That being said, we are totally complete in Him. The local church can do all things through Christ. Let’s focus on two things: Evangelism and Discipling of the believers. More to come.

Remember, we are the Body of Christ. The Holy Spirit is the presence of Jesus in the earth realm and He will never leave us.

Pastor J. Amos Jones

Friendship Missionary Baptist Church is the local church in the Four Corners Community.  Having said that, F.M.B.C. is also a part of the church, the Bride of Christ. We are members of the Body of Christ.  Paul says in Ephesians 1:22-23: “And hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is His body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all.”  Do you see it? Christ is the head, and we are the body of His church.  The image of the body shows the church’s unity.  Each member is involved with all the others as they go about doing Christ’s work on earth.  However, it is our relationship with Christ, the Head, that empowers every member as we continue our earthly so-journ.  “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ” (Romans 12:4-5a).

Here, Paul uses the concept of the human body to teach how Christians should live and work together.  Just as the parts of the body function under the direction of the brain, so Christians are to work together under the command and authority of Jesus Christ.  You are reminded by this Pastor quite often that “We are all in this together.”  Dear Ones, we are told that the fullness of Him fills and completes all things in all believers. That being said, we are totally complete in Him. The local church can do all things through Christ. Let’s focus on two things: Evangelism and Discipling of the believers. More to come.

Remember, we are the Body of Christ. The Holy Spirit is the presence of Jesus in the earth realm and He will never leave us.

Pastor J. Amos Jones

A big God bless you goes out to all of the choir members as we celebrate with them on this their annual day. The Psalmist tells us to: “Sing a new song to the Lord! Let the whole earth sing to the Lord! Sing to the Lord; praise His name. Each day proclaim the good news that He saves. Publish His glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things He does. (Psalm 96:1-3 NLT) It is obvious that the Psalmist had the choir at Friendship in mind when he pinned these words. Thank you choir for how you sing unto the Lord. You are indeed worshippers, not performers. To God be the glory!  In your singing there is the proclamation of the good news of His salvation and the declaration of His glory. Individually, think about your singing. In  Psalm 13:6, David says “I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me.”   We all can attest that God has blessed us abundantly. In Psalm 57, there is a record of David’s thoughts when he fled from Saul, and the truth be known: we all have had some disconcerting moments. In difficult times we can join David and say: “My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast and confident! I will sing, yes, I will sing praises [to You]!

Again choir, thank you for your marvelous (and melodic) contribution to the praise and worship at Friendship. God bless you on this Choir Annual Day.

Pastor J. Amos Jones