For too many, the evil events of the of the recent past causes us to ponder on the timetable of the Lord. We know that God is just in all His actions. He has decreed, “But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream” (Amos 5:24) Where is justice when 10 people are randomly shot while shopping at a supermarket? It was the evil of that kind of event that prompted the Psalmist to ask: “Lord, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph? How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?” (Psalm 94:3-4). Know this, dear ones, the Creator of the universe is aware of all that transpires in the earth realm. Hear what He says: “For the Lord will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance. But judgment (justice) shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it.” Although there are many evil deeds perpetrated on the innocent, there is a God! The writer of Psalm 94 ends with: “But the Lord is my defense; and my God is the rock of my refuge. And He shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness: yea, the Lord our God shall cut them off.”

To the unbelievable, it might appear that this world is spiraling out of control, but we (believers) know that is not true. We know that: “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

Pastor J. Amos Jones

Dear Graduate:

CONGRATULATIONS! You have achieved a significant milestone in your life.  How proud we at F.M.B.C. are of you.  This of course, is the first step in the marvelous, yet challenging, journey called life. You have demonstrated the over-coming spirit necessary to accomplish whatever you choose to do or to be. With that in mind, I need not remind you of the importance of making wise choices. Early on you were taught the necessity of making wise choices in life, knowing that there are consequences for our actions.

This is an exciting time for you and for your parents. As you prepare for the next phase in life, set your sights high. For you know that you can do all things through Christ who gives you overcoming power.

And now dear ones, in whatever endeavor you choose: The Lord bless you  and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and  give you peace.

To The Retirees,

God has been gracious to you, and He has given you the opportunity for continuing service to our community and to His Kingdom (like our dear retired sister, Janet Spurlock). Be blessed as you enjoy this next segment of your life.

Pastor J. Amos Jones

“Blessed are the mothers of the earth. They combine the practical and the spiritual into the workable way of human life.” (William L. Stinger) What a warm, yet astute, way Mr. Stinger considers mothers. In Exodus 2:1-10, we find a loving mother presented. When Moses was born his mother, Jochebed, hid him for three months in violation of Pharaoh’s order that every Hebrew male child was to be cast into the river and drowned. To save the life of her infant son, Jochebed, placed him in a little basket made of bullrushes, slime, and pitch, and left the basket among the reeds at the spot where Pharaoh’s daughter was accustomed to bathe. When this princess found the child, she had compassion on him, and, after the child was weaned, she adopted him and named him Moses. Moses, the leader of the Israelites in the exodus from Egypt and in the period of wanderings in the wilderness.

It was through Moses that God made the covenant with the Israelites. Moses is the chief figure of the religion of Israel. He is mentioned in the New Testament more than any other Old Testament character and appeared with Elijah on the mountain of Jesus’ transfiguration. Do you see it? Mothers combine the practical and the spiritual into the workable way of human life. Whether we call her mother, mom, mama, mommy, or ma, we honor her today. Motherhood is a divine institution and has been given divine protection (Isaiah 40:12). Mothers, we honor you and thank God for you and all that you do to weave into us the practical and the spiritual that we might become the children of the Most High God, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. Be blessed mothers, on this your day.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Pastor J. Amos Jones

The F.M.B.C. Informational Meeting will be held on Thursday evening, May 19, 2022, at 7:30 p.m. In this meeting there is planning, discussions, sharing of ideas, and the giving of information. We are careful not to say “Business Meeting” for several reasons. Number one, the business of the church is soul winning. First and foremost, evangelism is the primary assignment of the church. Jesus, our Lord, and Master, said of Himself: “For the son of man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10)  To His disciples of all the ages, He says: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come unto you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) The church has been commissioned and empowered to evangelize the world. Evangelism is the only way to make full proof of your ministry. When a church is not involved in winning souls it grieves the Holy Spirit and is void of power.

Secondly, for many the term “Business Meeting” denotes an adversary meeting. We must know that the adversary is Satan. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Our meetings are orderly, disciplined, and in accordance with the teachings of the Apostle Paul: “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” “Let all things be done decently and in order.” (1 Corinthians 14:33, 40)

Pastor J. Amos Jones

A big “God bless you” goes out to the members of the Mission Ministry as they, and we, celebrate Mission Annual Day. It is with thanksgiving and great appreciation that we commend them for their very fine work in the Mission Ministry.  First of all, these sisters have received the message, and that message is “The mission is evangelism.”  In the Missionary Society, there are a myriad of activities, but the focus is on soul-winning.  Proverbs 11:30 tells us that “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” Ladies, thank you for your wisdom. Jesus, the master teacher, tells us in Luke 15:7, “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance”. Wisdom reminds us of God’s love for each individual. It is so great that He seeks each one out and there is rejoicing when he or she is “found.”  Again, to the members of the Mission Ministry, thank you for your service to the Kingdom. 

Now, and in larger sense, all members of the Body of Christ are called to missionary work. Jesus said to disciples of all times: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:19-20).

Remember, he or she that winneth souls is wise.

Pastor J. Amos Jones