“Should Christians vote and participate in the political process”  was a question posed to Dr. D. James Kennedy, pastor of the Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church.  Facetiously Dr. Kennedy answered, “No, Christians should not vote or support candidates, and certainly not run for public office.  Let the murderers, the drug dealers, the pimps, the prostitutes, the thieves, the proponents of this world’s system do the voting.  Let them elect the people who write and enforce the laws, sit on the bench, make decisions concerning school curriculum, and on and on.”

Voting is not only a right and a privilege, it is also the duty of every Christian to do all that they can to ensure that good men and women are elected to public office.  “Good” implies not only political competence, but also moral uprightness.  Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance.  (Psalm 53:12)

We, the believers, are His people and He has given us the dominion over His creation.  The admonition from this Pastor to you, dear people, is to get involved!  Study the issues, research the candidates, know that your vote counts.  THEN VOTE!  Then monitor the performance of your elected officials:

• Are they keeping their promises?
• Are they doing what they said they would do?
• Are they working in your best interest?

Please remember this.  It is not what politicians say, but rather, it’s what they do!

Tuesday is Election Day.  Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:12:  “and from the days of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take by force.”  Let’s take back all that the enemy has taken from us.  Begin with the vote and political process.

Be blessed as you walk in Him.

 Pastor J. Amos Jones

Think this Election doesn’t matter?  Think again!

As Christians, we are in the enviable position of being possessors of dual citizenship.  Not only are we American citizens, but more importantly, believers are citizens of the Kingdom of the Most High God.  While we enjoy the benefits of citizenship, we must never forget that there are corresponding responsibilities as well.  Jesus addressed this matter in Matthew 22:21, when He said to the disciples of the Pharisees and to the Herodians:   “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.”

 The Bible is the Constitution of the Kingdom of God and it sets forth the principles for Godly living.  In the same manner, The Constitution of the United States, adopted in 1787 and put into effect in 1789, is the basic set of rules and law that governs this country.  The Constitution assures the rights and liberties of the citizenry.  As a citizen of the United States, I have and you have the Constitutional right to VOTE.  Unfortunately, it is a sad commentary that too few of us exercise that right.  Let me give you six reasons why you need to vote on November 6, 2018:

1 – Presidential Power and Congressional oversight.

2 – Integrity in Government

3 – Health Care Reform

4 – Economic Security

5 – Medicare/Medicaid

6 – Social Security

As a citizen of the Kingdom of God, I am obligated and you are obligated to help make this world a better place.  As Christians, Jesus says:  we are the salt of the earth and we are the light of the world.

Dear Ones, please know this, Christians are obligated to vote!  Not only must Christians vote, we must vote intelligently!

A vote is a formal expression of preference for a candidate for office or for a proposed resolution of an issue.  By definition, to vote one must know where the candidates stand on issues that are of concern to the voter.  And, likewise, know as best you can, where the candidate’s stand on those issues that are of concern to the people of faith.  Study the issues, discuss the candidates, then VOTE.  The election is November 6, 2018.

As your Pastor, I will never tell you WHO or WHAT to vote for, but I will earnestly encourage you to VOTE.  I need not tell you how important it is for the voice of the Christians to be heard.  We are nine days away from the elections. Do your home-work, then vote.

Be blessed as you walk in HIM.

 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

“For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand.  I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.”  (Psalm 84:10)

How that speaks to, and of, the Ushers at Friendship.  The humility and dedication of our ushers is truly the personification of a servant of the Most High God.  Ushers are people who work without publicity.  There is no egotism in the one who would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of his/her God, than share in the life of those who do not honor the God of the universe.

No one will stand and applaud the ushers as they go about their duties, however, the ushers are assured of the following:  “For the Lord God is a Sun and Shield; the Lord bestows [present] grace and favor and [future] glory (honor, splendor, and heavenly bliss)!  No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.

To Trustee James Craig Miller and to the members of the Usher Board, this Church thanks you for your faithful service and commitment to an orderly worship experience.

May He continue to bless you as you serve this Church and your God.

 Pastor J. Amos Jones