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

 

July 4, 2021

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” (2 Tim. 3:1) Please know this, my brothers and sisters, we are living in the “last days”.  The last days began after Jesus’ resurrection, when the Holy Spirit came upon the believers at Pentecost.  They will continue until His Second Coming.  If there was any doubt of the times, one need only look at the characteristics described in chapter 3:2-4, they are unmistakable.  In as much as the last days are characterized by sinfulness, what should be the posture of the believer?  Brother Paul states it so succinctly in verse 14 of chapter 3: “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them.”  You know that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof,  for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man (or woman) of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim 3: 16-17).

Preachers, continue to preach; choir members, continue to sing; deacons continue to serve; usher, continue to usher; teachers, continue to teach; missionary workers, continue to witness; all believers, continue to pray.  The times may be perilous, but our God is faithful.  “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you”  (1 Peter 1:3-4).

Let us continue.

Pastor J. Amos Jones

June 27, 2021

MUSINGS WITH THE PASTOR June 22, 2021

“What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?”  What is man?  This is not a rhetorical question, but rather a question to help you understand yourself more clearly.  To  respect God’s majesty, we must see ourselves in the light of His greatness.  Man is the crown of His creation; however, when we look at creation, we often feel small by comparison.  To feel small is a healthy way to get back to reality, but God does not want us to dwell on our smallness. Humility means proper respect for God, not self-deprecation.  What is man?  Hear the Psalmist in selected verses from Psalm 139:

• (14)  I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:   marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
• (17) How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
• (18)  If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake,  I am still with thee.

To the men of FMBC, we appreciate and honor you on this your day.  Be blessed.

A note to all members.  If you have not received your COVID-19 vaccination, let me encourage you to do so as soon as possible.  If we all work together we can put this pandemic behind us.  The vaccines are safe,  just do it!

And now a personal note:  On Tuesday, June 22, 2021, we welcome onto this people planet, a gift from God (Psalm 127:3), JADE FIELDS, born to Nita and John Fields.  All are doing well.  To God be the glory!  This Pastor is a great-grandfather many times over.

Again, to God be the glory!

Pastor J. Amos Jones