August 8, 2021

It’s Revival time!  I hope that you are as excited about it as this Pastor.  Good singing, good preaching, and the invitation for sinners to come to Christ.  That is about as good as it can be.  We are expecting the Holy Spirit to do a mighty work in this Revival and Soul Saving Campaign.  The Holy Spirit will do the drawing and we will do the supporting.  The wise man tells us: “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise” (Prov. 11:30).  A wise person is a model of a meaningful life.  His/her sense of purpose attracts others who want to know how they too can find meaning and purpose.  Gaining wisdom yourself, then, can be the first step in leading people to Christ.  Brother James tells us in James 5:20, “Let him know, that he which converteth the  sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude  of sins.”

Dear ones, we are urged to help backsliders return to God and help sinners turn to Christ for salvation.  By taking the initiative, we can support the Holy Ghost in this great effort.

· First of all, we can and must pray.  Pray for the lost and the         backslider.  Call them out by name, where possible.  To help you in this endeavor, Pre-Revival Prayer Services, Monday and Tuesday, August 9 and 10.  Please know this, Dear ones, revivals are prayed down (Psalm 85:6) “Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?”.

· Secondly, please support the Revival financially.  We do not receive a public offering during the Revival.  Prayerfully determine your  level of giving and place that amount in a Revival Offering envelope.

· Thirdly, attend and witness or witness and attend (just do it).

Remember, Revival and Soul Saving Campaign, Wednesday, August 11, thru Friday, August 13, 2021.

Pastor J. Amos Jones

August 1, 2021

How does a Pastor respond and what is his response to an event like the Pastor’s Anniversary 48?  You see it as it was. WHAT AN OUTPOURING OF LOVE! It was the personification of Gal 5:22, the “fruit of the Spirit” and 1st Cor. 13, the “characteristics of love”.  Thank you dear members for loving your Pastor and his family with “agape” love, the God kind of love.  Everything about the anniversary spoke to love of Christ and love for His servant.  There was a Colossians 3:23 tone in everything, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;” This pastor was truly blessed in every aspect of the anniversary.  The lawn was perfectly manicured, the signage reflected caring thoughtfulness, the program spoke to 1 Thess. 5:12-13: “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake.  And be at peace among yourselves”.

The food, as always, was a special blessing.  Our thanks and sincere appreciation goes out to the members of the Anniversary Committee, every program participate, the music department, the ushers and the sound room personnel, the  cafeteria committee, the ministers and the deacons and trustees.  Our thanks and heartfelt appreciation is extended to every caring gift giver. “He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward”.  (Mt.  10:41a).  As always, Pastor George Hill and the members of Greater Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church were a great blessing.  To God be the glory, Friendship, thank you for your love and we love and honor you.

We are in His Service,

Pastor J. Amos Jones

July 25, 2021

What’s in a name?” (William Shakespeare, English Dramatist & Poet).  If I may borrow from Old Will and change it a wee bit to speak to this Pastor’s history.  Let’s call it “What’s in a year?”.  In the year of 1936, this Pastor was born in Waco, Texas, nearing the end of the great depression.  A time of extreme segregation and racial strife.  But God had a plan and a purpose. “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. (Jeremiah 1:5)  In the year of 1954, this Pastor joined the United States Marine Corps.  God is still working His plan. “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” (Isaiah 43:2)   In the year of 1957, this Pastor met and married Thelma Odessa Flix.  (If you are doing the math, that’s sixty four years).  “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord.” (Proverbs 18:22)  And in the year 1953, we began a career with the United States Postal Service that continued over thirty-five years.  “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor devices, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” (Ecclesiastes 9:10)  And in the year of 1973, this Pastor was called to the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church.  So began a journey of love, and through-out the journey the faithfulness of God has been on display.  Very early on we appropriated Hebrews 13:5 as a rule for pastoring; “Stay away from the love of money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said “I will never fail you.  I will never forsake you.”” (NIV)

Dear Ones, to God be the glory for all He has done.  Thank you for your follow-ship.

Pastor J. Amos Jones

July 18, 2021

There is a constant need to be reminded of the third person of the God head, the Spirit of God (Gen 1:2), and His ministry in the church. According to Acts 2:4, He fills the church.  You can always recognize a Holy Spirit powered church.  The evidence is obvious, they have power to:

(1) Evangelize: they share their faith with the lost and souls are saved. Evangelism is the only way to make full proof of your ministry (2 Tim 4:5).

(2) Reproduce: souls are born into the family of God by the “incorruptible seed” which is the word of God (1 Peter 1:23).

(3) Change people: (Acts 2:37-41), Places (Acts 5:28) and Things (Matt 17:20-21).

(4) Turn the world upside down: (Acts 17:6), He comforts the church (Acts 9:31) “Then had the churches rest throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified (built up); and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.  (Thank you Holy Ghost!)

The Holy Spirit indwells the believer (Romans 8:11) “ But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you.”  The indwelling Holy Spirit is a guide to the believer and certainly to this Pastor (John 16:13) “ Howbeit when He, the Spirt of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come.”

Dear Ones, for forty-eight years this Pastor has sought and submitted to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and He has been faithful. How apropos are the words of the angel to Zechariah for Zerubbabel; “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.”

Thank you Holy Ghost!

Pastor J. Amos Jones

July 11, 2021

This Pastor joins with the many other voices in asking that if you, or any family member over the age of twelve years old, have not been vaccinated for COVID-19, please do so as soon as possible.  We now have the opportunity to put this pandemic behind us, but it will take all of us.  The three major vaccines have been shown to be effective in controlling this virus, but we need the SHOTS IN THE ARMS.  If you have not received the injection, could it be that you have some concerns about taking the injections?  This Pastor cannot guarantee you that the vaccines are 100% safe, however, I can tell you this; you are better off receiving the shot in the arm than not receiving the injection.  Please do not allow fear to stop you from helping end this pandemic. [Let’s move on.]

I am sure that you have observed that Texas politics specifically and all politics generally are taking a turn for the worse.  Many unreasonable and uncaring  laws are being passed out of the legislature.  You  have to wonder; who elected these folks?  That not withstanding, they are in the legislature.  The question that begs to be asked is this:  What do we do with all this craziness?  The Apostle Paul gives us some help in the matter.  Number one: “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Gal. (6:9).  It is discouraging to continue to do right and see no tangible results.  The challenge is to keep on doing what is right and to trust God for the results.  Number two:  “Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Eph. 6:13).

Dear ones, stand up to  this challenge, stand for righteousness, and stand with the Lord.

Pastor J. Amos Jones