Does it appear to you, as it does to me, that the political climate has evolved into a “win at any cost”? It certainly has given me pause when I observe what is happening in today’s politics. What I find most disturbing is the position taken by those who identify as “Christian Conservatives.”  Example: They are embracing a candidate for U.S. Senate whose moral failures are evident to anyone who cares to look, beyond the rhetoric. Hear the word of God: “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Prov. 14:34). “But let judgment rundown as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream” (Amos 5:24). (Out of the mouth of two or more witnesses.) When our desire for power exceeds moral uprightness, we have a problem. Politicians are the servants of the people. Again, hear the word of the Lord: “Shall one who hates justice [and is an enemy of right] govern? And will you condemn Him who is just and mighty?” (Job 34:17 AMP)

Dear ones, look for candidates who understand the concept of righteousness. There are those who might have a wealth of Bible knowledge and life experiences, make sure their conclusions are consistent with all of God’s word, not just parts of it.  “Win at any cost,” not God’s way. Be blessed as you prepare for the midterm elections.

Pastor J. Amos Jones

We are now thirty-seven days until mid-term election day. As your Pastor, I implore you to vote. I need not tell you how importantly it is for each of us to vote. I will remind you that voting is not only a right, it is an imperative. A tremendously high price has been paid for us to have the right and privilege to vote. This Pastor will never suggest to you who you should vote, however, I will ask you to vote. Take this time between now and early voting to do some research on the candidates, then vote for the best qualified person. Please, please, do not take the mid-term election lightly. Vote in every election. Let your voice be heard. Jesus said in Matt. 22:21: “Rendered therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.” Amendment XV, Section 1 states: The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition or servitude. (The Constitution of the United States of America). The truth is there are those who are attempting to deny many citizens the right to vote. Do not let them! Do your duty, vote in the upcoming election, and in every election. Exercise your right as a citizen.

Be Blessed.

Pastor J. Amos Jones

September 18, 2022

For eighty-two years the ministry of the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church has sat on a table of love, supported by three legs; service, honor, and representation. We are commanded of the Lord to have both horizontal and vertical love. 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. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” (Matt. 22:37-39). Love has been the fuel for our journey, and the glue that has kept us together. We are, and have always been, proud to be servants of the Most High God. The Apostle Paul states it so well in Col. 3:22-23: “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.” Again, Paul says: “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.” (Romans 12:11) To honor is to esteem, or regard highly. Our God is worthy of honor, glory and majesty, dominion and power are His. The doxology given by Paul in 1Timothy 1:17, so spake of God’s love for Friendship for these eighty-two years, therefore we must join him “Now unto the king eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Amen, so let it be. Since 1940, when Friendship was organized and had worship services in a brush arbor on Boss Gaston Road, God has been faithful! He has brought us “all the way.” Truly, if it had not been for the Lord who was on our side, the enemy would have destroyed us. We recognize that we represent the triune God in a sinful world, we are ambassadors for Christ. We praise God for our eighty-two years of service, and that that service honors God, for we are His workmanship.

Be Blessed

Pastor J. Amos Jones

Throughout the course of human history, there has been many small “g” gods. However, we know that there is only one God, the divine creator of the universe. Our Heavenly Father acknowledges the existence of small “g” gods when He says in Exodus 20:3  “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” As we have said, as Christians, we serve the God who is almighty and all-powerful. This great God created the heavens and the earth. With His power to create, there is also His provision to sustain, and His presence to help. Let me pose this to you, “To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto Him? (Isaiah 40:18) No person or thing can be compared to God. “To whom then will ye liken me or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.” (Isaiah 40:25).

What an enlightenment there is in the awesome word of God. God often saved His harshest criticism and punishment for those who worship idols. “And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim: And they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the Lord to anger” (Judges 2:11-12). God was angry with Israel, and he allowed them to be punished by their enemies. How sad it is for any person to turn from the living God and turn to idols.  To turn from the God who created them to a god of their creation. We need not remind you that anyone or anything that you allow to come between you and God, is your god.

Dear ones, walk in and enjoy the presence and power of Almighty God, the one true God.

Pastor J. Amos Jones

The family is of divine creation. “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth” (Genesis 1:27-28a).  In as much as the family is of divine creation, Father God sets the rules that governs it. The family begins with marriage. “Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Matthew 19:6). According to Exodus 20:12, there must be unity of parents. We need only to look at the family of Isaac and Rebekah to see what happens when the parents are not unified in their parenting. God has placed the husband as the head of the family, not the boss, rather “the source of”.  Because man was created first, the woman derives her existence from man, as man does from Christ, and Christ from God, (1 Corinthians 11:3). The principle there is submission, which is the key element in the smooth functioning of any family. Submission is mutual commitment and cooperation.  Thus, God calls for submission among equals. Likewise, there is subordination of children (Ephesians 6:1-4).

Dear ones, on a spiritual level, we who are believers are members of the family of God. “For all who are allowing themselves to be led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” (Romans 8:14 AMP). When a person becomes a Christian, he/she gains all the privileges and responsibilities of a child in God’s family. Think about it folks, as believers, we are in the family of God. Just as is with our natural parents, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right” (Ephesians 6:1 NIV). Hear Brother Peter in Acts 5:29: “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.” That’s it folks, we now are heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ. Be blessed as you are blessed in the family of God.

Pastor J. Amos Jones