“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath:  but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”  (Ephesians 6:4).  In the simplicity, yet Profoundness, of this statement on parenting, the Lord gives us two keys to being a good father.  Do you see it?  Good fathers do not provoke their children, but rather they provide for them.  Parenting is not easy – it takes a lot of patience to raise children in a loving, Christ-honoring manner.  The purpose of parental discipline is to help children grow, not to hurt or discourage them.  Frustration and anger should not be causes for discipline.  Rather, parents should act in love, providing agape love; the love that God has for His children (the kind of love Israel had for Joseph).

Jesus, the Master Teacher speaks on providing for needs in Matthew 7:9-11 and that is what fathers do, though imperfect beings: “if ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children.”  To this Pastor, the “acid test” for fathers is how do you love the children’s mother?  “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it.”  (Ephesians 5:25)

Fathers, be blessed on this your day, as you provoke not and provide for.

 Pastor J. Amos Jones

JOY!  What an amazing word in the life of a Christian.  Joy, the gladness of heart that comes from loving the Lord, Whom we have not seen; yet we believe.  And in believing, we rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.

The bible tells us that Philip the evangelist preached Christ in the city of Samaria and crowds listened intently to what he had to say because of the miracles he did.  Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims.  And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed.  And there was great joy in that city.  The gospel of Jesus Christ still brings great joy.  The new  birth is the greatest miracle any of us will experience.

Jesus tells us that there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.  How awesome!  A repentant sinner coming to the Lord causes joy in heaven as well as in the earth realm.  For those of us who are in the family of God, the joy of the Lord is our strength.  (Nehemiah 8:10)  We are overcomers.  We are the victors and not victims.  We will not entertain the “victim mentality.”  As the people of God, we are assured that this joy we have is not contingent upon circumstances, life’s experiences, people that we know or don’t know or any such thing.  The word of God declares:  Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing, unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head:  they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.  (Isaiah 51:11)

We Americans are big-time “bottom line” people.  Well, here is the bottom line concerning joy.  The Lord is the source of our Joy!  David, the sweet Psalmist of Israel, states that fact this way:  Thou wilt show me the path of life:  in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right and there are pleasures for evermore.  (Psalm 16:11)

Be blessed.

 Pastor J. Amos Jones

It is easier to build strong children than it is to repair broken men.

This vision statement adopted for the Youth Church is a recognizable reality, but it is also a Biblical Principle.  The Word of God commands children to:  “Honor thy father and thy mother, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be pronged and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.”  (Deuteronomy) 5:16

Moreover, children are commanded to listen to what parents teach.  “Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.”  (Proverbs 23:22)

As children treat their parents with honor, due obedience and courtesy, they are more teachable.  Children are a precious gift from God:  “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.”  (Psalm 127:3).

We know that God can only give good gifts.  A good child brings joy to the father and has been promised long life.  As parents realize that children are a gift from the Lord, there is also the realization that in matters of discipline and instructions, that too, should come from the Lord.  Children are never an impediment, a hindrance to living the “good life.”  Jesus tells  us most emphatically not to despise children for they have a “heaven connection.”  (Matthew 18:10)

On this Children’s Annual Day, let us recommit to Godly discipline and Godly instruction for our children.  Teach your children about the Lord and His way.  “Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes.  And ye shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou riseth up.” (Deuteronomy 11:18-19)

Two things about discipline:

• Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.  (Proverbs 29:1)
• The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame. (Proverbs 29:15.

This Pastor is very proud of, and grateful to God, for both our children and their parents.  (Remember, the Word works if you work the Word)

 Pastor J. Amos Jones

While it requires no great theological insight to recognize the sovereignty of Almighty God, it does require deep, abiding faith, and absolute trust in Him that He is in control.

The Psalmist tells us that:  “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof;  The world, and they that dwell therein.  For He hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.”  (Psalm 24:1, 2).

Our God is the Creator, Sustainer and Possessor of the whole world, and therefore worthy of worship and reverent loyalty as “the King of Glory.”  This is a message that was lost on some people at a recent precinct convention.  Ignorantly, these people submitted resolutions to control the actions of God through His people.  How feeble!  As the people of the Most High God, we are governed by His laws and precepts found in His Word, The Bible.  It is not what we say or resolve, it is the acknowledging of Him.  We are required to be good citizens of this country, however, when there is conflict between things of this world and things of God, we side with the Lord.  Jesus said we should “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things which are God’s.”  (Matthew 22:21)  Remember, in every circumstance of life, God is in control.

Dear Ones, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”  (Proverbs 3:5, 6)

Pastor J. Amos Jones