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

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