An arrogant, self-absorbed, young man came to an old sage with an intriguing question.  You see, it was the intent of the young man to embarrass the old man who was known for his wisdom.  The young man came to the sage and said, “Old man, the bird I have in my hand, is it alive or is it dead?”  The young man had said to himself, “If the old sage says the bird is alive, I will immediately crush it, and it is a dead bird and if he says the bird is dead, I will open my hand and allow the bird to fly to freedom.”  The old sage answered with the wisdom that only comes from God, “Young man, the life of the bird is in your hand.  You control whether the bird is alive or if it is dead.”

Dear ones, if I may draw from that story, much of our lives are in our hands.  In Genesis 1:26, we are told that: “And God said, let us make man in our image, after our likeness:  and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.”  Our Heavenly Father has given us dominion, the right to rule and to reign with Him.  Let us understand that “We have been raised up together, and made to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:”

Be blessed as you walk in the awareness of almighty God.

Pastor J. Amos Jones

An empty tomb outside of Jerusalem seems to solidify our salvation. Jesus died for our sins, and He rose for our justification. He that knew no sin, became sin, that we might become the righteous of God. Hear the prophet Isaiah: “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5) In 690 B.C., the Lord God revealed to the prophet the idea of Christ dying for our sin, actually bearing the punishment that we deserve. All part of God’s plan of salvation. “For God so love the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) Follow the plan: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;” (Romans 3:23-25) The resurrection of Christ is the center of the Christian faith. Because Christ rose from the dead as He promised, we know that what He said is true – He is God! Because there is an empty tomb, we know without a doubt that our sins are forgiven. Because He rose, He lives and represents us to God. Because there is an empty tomb, He defeated death, and we too will leave an empty grave.

Hallelujah!

Pastor J. Amos Jones

The position in life for the child of God should and must be found in his/her union with Christ. Jesus came that we might have life and that we may have it more abundantly. Characteristically in the abundant life of the Christian, there are Biblical “Put Offs” and “Put Ons.” In Col. 3:8, we have a listing of character traits that as Christians we must put off. The Apostle begins with the destructive trait of anger. The Bible tells us to:  “Cease from anger, and forsake wrath:  fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.” (Psalm 37:8) Wrath or rage is physiologically destructive. Heart problems, high blood pressure can certainly be associated with rage. The Apostle continues with the listing of “Put Offs”: Malice or malicious behavior is borne out of a heart of unbelief. “Put Off” blasphemy or slander. Jesus in Matthew 15:19, equates blasphemy with other symptoms of Spiritual heart disease. Slander is so destructive in the body of Christ. Lastly, “Put Off” filthy (dirty language) communications out of your mouth. Enough said. “Put Off” the old man with his deeds and “Put On” the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him.

Beginning in verse twelve, we have a listing of “Put Ons”.  Here is that listing without any editorializing.  As holy people of God, put on tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Forbearing one another (to make allowance for each other’s faults) and forgive the person who offends you.

Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.  And most importantly, you must put on love, and it will lead us into full development and growth into the maturity of godliness.

Be blessed as you walk in Him.

Pastor J. Amos Jones

Dear Ones,

Let’s continue in “March Gladness.”  I AM GLAD THAT God involves Himself in the lives of His people.  The Psalmist says:  “The steps of a good man are ordered (established) by the Lord: and He delighteth in his way.”  The Lord can take seemingly small and insignificant events and cause them to be life changing.  Allow me to share with you two such life altering events.

• The first occurred while serving in Korea with the U.S. Marines.  I was assigned to be a labor detail with the task of constructing a helicopter landing pad (with emphasis on labor).  During my lunch break, I went into  the supply office to type a letter to my mother and when it was known that I could type, it was, as is said, “the rest is  history.”  Needless to say, I am now, as then, glad I could type.
• The second event occurred when I was an Associate Minister (we were called “local preachers” then) at Riceville Baptist Church. Reverend C.L. Miller, who was the Pastor here at F.M.B.C., came by Riceville and asked if I could come to Friendship and preach in his stead.  Pastor Miller had an appointment at another Church.  Boy, was I glad that with all the preachers Pastor Miller knew, he asked me to come and preach.  Fifty years later, I am still preaching at Friendship.

We know that it was the hand of God moving in the lives of His people.  “He will keep the feet of His saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.” (1 Samuel 2:9)

This Pastor is so glad that God is deeply involved in the lives of His people.

Pastor J. Amos Jones

Dear One,

Please join this pastor during the month of March and become part of “March Gladness”.  We will turn the tables on the Evil One and use a term taken from the lexicon of the sports world.  Whereas Satan perverts, we shall glorify.  By definition, glad is “feeling, or characterized by pleasure or joy; happy; pleased”.   With that definition in mind, during the month of March, every day, think about what makes you glad then praise God for your “gladness”.

The Psalmist says in Psalm 70:4:  “Let all those that see thee rejoice and be glad in thee:  and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.”  God’s deliverance of His servant will give joy (make him glad) to all who trust in the Lord, because they see in it the assurance of their own salvation.  Moreover, one can be glad because His saving help is sure, and it is effective.  This Pastor is glad he is saved and that he has a right relationship with God through the Lord Jesus Christ.  We are glad that God sent this preacher to F.M.B.C. as its Pastor.

On today, I am sure you can join the Psalmist and this pastor in our delight in the house of the Lord.  “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.” (Psalm 122:1) Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!  Let the church say Amen.

Pastor J. Amos Jones