Black History Month has come and gone, but it is this Pastor’s desire that Black History will remain.  Even to the casual observer, there is a parallel to be found in the history of the African American and the history of the children of Israel.  Both histories reflect great suffering at the hands of their oppressor, the most vile expression of man’s inhumanity to man.  Praise be to God, we also find His great love and His great compassion.  Most of all, we find His great deliverance.  Just as God delivered the children of Israel from captivity in Egypt and Babylon with a high hand, so He did with and for people of color in this “the land of the free and home of the brave.”

“That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones?  Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.”  (Joshua 4:6-7)

When we dress in the old-fashioned garb of the time of slavery, this Pastor is reminded of the struggle and God’s continuing deliverance.

To God be the glory for all that we now enjoy.

Pastor J. Amos Jones

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”

It is this Pastor’s desire and hope that out of Black History month will come the sense of community and the knowledge that the living God is with us, and it is He that has delivered us.  Dr. King’s life and work as a national leader of the Civil Rights movement was geared to improving the lot of all people – irrespective of race, creed, or heritage.  He envisioned a world where we will all enjoy the blessings of freedom, hope and justice.  Dr. King’s dream has not as yet been fully realized; however, we praise God for the great improvements that have been made.  We are all aware of the significant contributions to our community made by Dr. King, but the question each of us must answer is this:  “What am I doing for others?”

Dear Ones, we share a common destiny.  God has richly blessed all of us.  We need only to look where the Lord has brought us from.  I must remind you that we are blessed to be a blessing.  God gives to each of us according to our individual abilities.  Having said that, we all have something to contribute to the betterment of our society.  Please know this, you can have what you want, if you help others get what they want.  There is still much to be done to address the helplessness, hopelessness and futility that is the breeding ground for much of the Black-on-Black crime.  We will not find the answers to this country’s ills in the arena of politics, even though we have had a Black President.  The answers lie with the living God who is “among us.”  Can you hear the Apostle Paul, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” 

Let’s get busy.                                          

Pastor J. Amos Jones

(Repost)

Today we are celebrating our women. Women have always contributed significantly to the work of the Kingdom but have not always received the proper recognition. In fact, in the Baptist church we have bordered on female discrimination. This, of course, is not the position of our Lord. Jesus raised women from degradation and servitude to full fellowship and service. In Luke 8, we find women accompanying Jesus and the disciples as they travel throughout preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the Kingdom of God. In Jewish culture women were not supposed to learn from rabbis. By allowing these women to travel with Him, Jesus was showing that all people are equal under God. These women not only traveled with Jesus, they supported His ministry with their own money. (Luke 8:2, 3) Jesus elevated the status of women in the Kingdom, a direct contrast to the customs and mores of the Jewish culture. Jesus recognized the enormous worth of women to the Kingdom and this pastor certainly shares in that recognition. As pastor I am grateful and appreciative to the Father for the wonderful, loving women of Friendship and for women in general.

In Acts 16:11-15, Luke highlights the story of Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira. Lydia was a marvelous person who loved the Lord with all her heart. To this pastor, Lydia is a personification of the many women of Friendship who love the Lord with all their heart. Women, co-laborers in the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Pastor J. Amos Jones

Dear Ones,

    Let me remind you that the Texas Primary is twenty-three days away. Early voting is February 20^th through March 1^st, and Primary Election Day is March 5, 2024. Let me ask that you do several things in connection to the election. Number one, do not allow anything or anyone to deter you from your VOTING. This is not only your right, it is your DUTY. Please, do not let some ludicrous ideological belief stop you from voting.

    Now that you know of a certainty that you are going to vote, ensure that you vote purposefully. Study the issues, examine the positions, and really, the candidates themselves. Hear the word of the Lord: “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.” (Proverbs 29:2) Know this, men and women of God, voting is not only a civic duty, it is a spiritual initiative. Here what Jesus says in Luke 19:13: “And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, occupy till I come.”

    Dear people we have received from those who have gone before us, a fragile, but improving society. Let us build upon their hard work, let us occupy. I would never be so presumptuous as to suggest to you who to vote for, but I will beg you to vote.

Pastor J. Amos Jones

Each time I recite the words of the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, I am reminded of how this nation has failed people of color. That notwithstanding, the Lord God of the universe has been faithful. There is no failure in God. The purpose of this writing is not to vilify this country (the powers that be do not need my help, they are quite proficient at doing so), but rather my purpose is to glorify the God of whom we serve. To do that, let me quote the Old Testament character, Hannah, the wife of Elkanah, the mother of Samuel. Here are portions of the “Song of Hannah”:

*My heart rejoices in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.
* There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none besides thee: neither is there any rock like our God.
* The bows of the mighty man are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.
* The Lord killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bring it up. The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. He raises up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and he hath set the world upon them.

As we celebrate the accomplishments of people of color, remember, “My heart (and I hope, yours) rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn (strength) is exalted in the Lord.”

Be blessed during Black History Month.
Pastor J. Amos Jones