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

There are times when words seem so inadequate, so incapable of conveying the heart’s message.  Even the most learned etymologist would experience difficulty in articulating appreciation and gratitude for the acts and deeds of the loving people of Friendship.

On today we share with the Greeters their Annual Day. What a great group of people, who contribute significantly to the expansion of the Kingdom of God.  On this day we recognize the Greeters, and as such, we all share with them their core ministry.  Today, we are all Greeters. In a much larger sense, the Greeters are part of the whole, “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body:  so also is Christ” (1^st Cor. 12:12). How thankful we are to God for the Greeters, and we appreciate their faithfulness to the Kingdom.  The same can be said concerning the choir, the Missionary Society, the Brotherhood, the deacons and trustees, the ushers and each and every member of the Friendship family.  To simply say “thank you” for all the awesome work and deeds that Friendship members do for the Kingdom, and for this Pastor and his family seems totally inadequate, however, it does convey the hearts message. 

To the Greeters and to all of Friendship:  THANK YOU! and “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.”

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

As the people of God, we should never allow the circumstances of life to dictate our lives.  We know that greater is He that is in us, than he that is in the world.  At some time prior to the Assyrian campaign of 701 B.C., Hezekiah, King of Judah, was sick until death.  The prophet Isaiah came to him with the message to “Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.”  “Get your will updated, ensure your final arrangements are completed, particularly in respect to throne succession.”

Such were the circumstances confronting King Hezekiah.   Moreover, there is the final declaration, “thou shalt die, and not live.” Look how Hezekiah dealt with this staggering circumstance in his life.  Hezekiah prayed! “I beseech the, O Lord, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight.” (2 Kings 20:3)  Hezekiah’s prayer is not an appeal for divine favor that is based on good works, but it expresses the realization that the Lord graciously favors those who earnestly serve Him.

Another godly King declared: “The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness:  According to the cleanness of my hands hath He recompensed me.” (2 Samuel 22:21)  While David’s statements may give the impression of self-righteous boasting and a meritorious basis for divine favor, they must be understood in the context as:

• David’s desire to please the Lord in his service as the Lord’s anointed.
• His recognition that the Lord rewards those who faithfully seek to serve Him.

Know this, dear ones, whatever you are experiencing in life, God favors those who earnestly serve Him.  To that end, favor IS fair. 

Enjoy His favor as you seek to serve Him.

Pastor J. Amos Jones

Dear Ones,

 It is good to know that there are blessings in death for those who die in the Lord and blessings for those they leave behind.  The Book of Revelation has seven promised blessings.  They constitute the “Beatitudes” of the Revelation.  The second of these will arrest our attention: Rev. 14:13 (AMP): “Then I heard [the distinct words of] a voice from heaven , saying. “Write, Blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!” “Yes [blessed indeed],” says the Spirit, “so that they may rest and have relief from their labors, for their deeds do follow them,” God’s people can produce fruit that survives even death.

 God will remember our love, kindness, and faithfulness, and those who accept Christ through our witness will join us in the new earth. The remaining six scriptures of the Beatitudes of the Revelation are: 1:3; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7, 14, (for your edification.) The words of Jesus found in John 11:25, 26, are certainly a blessing and are of great comfort: “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:  And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.  Believest them this? Hear the word of the Lord: “For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.” (Romans 14:8). Amen.

Pastor J. Amos Jones