Feburary 14, 2021
During February, as we reflect on our ethnicity and the contributions made by people of color that enhance this people planet, we should also consider our “Genesis” conection. So God Created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them. (Genesis 1:27) Our pedigree flows back to the sixth day of creation. Further clarifying the “Genesis” connection: And the sons of Noah, that went forth of the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth: and Ham is the father of Canaan. (Genesis 9:18). And the sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan. (Genesis 10:6). For too long in the history of Western Civilization, persons of African descent have been stereotyped in negative ways which have caused them to question not only their own identity but also their part in God’s plan of salvation.
When we look again at the descendants of Ham: Cush (biblical Ethiopia, in other words, the Sudan, Mizraim (Egypt), Phut (Libya), and Canaan (Palestine (Israel)), we find that they inhabited North and Northeast Africa and were the original inhabitants of these regions. Also, within the Hamitic lineage, the son of Cush, Nimrod was known to be an eminent hunter and architiect. Nimrod, grandson of Ham and the mighty hunter before God, was the first man to try to build his way to heaven. (Gen 11:1-9) Nimrod managed to draw and begin work on a gigantic tower that would allow him and his fellow servants to see heaven as well as earth. This tower was built in a city called Babel, in the beginning of his empire. Downright awesome for a man from Africa? Not really, it’s a “God thing.” Is it not interesting that the land the Lord described as “a good land and a large (land), flowing with milk and honey”, the Promised Land” is the land that was inhabited by the descendants of Canaan, son of Ham.
Dear ones, as we explore Black History during the month of February, know this: Our roots go back to the dawn of creation. Our history might not have been accurately recorded, but it hasn’t been stolen. It is what it has been, conversely, your future and my future is not determined by what someone says or does not say, or what they do or what is not done. Again, let us go back to the “Genesis” connection: “Let them have dominion”. We have been blessed to have dominion! Walk in that blessing.
Pastor J. Amos Jones
In light of the enormity of the recent elections, both locally and national(s), may I remind you that, as believers, we possess dual citizenships. We, as citizens of this great country, pledge our allegiance to the United States of America, however, we are also citizens of the Kingdom of God. Moreover, when we “Render therefore, unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God, the things that are God’s”, there is no conflict. When the citizenry of these United States really live out “We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their powers from the consent of the governed.” When the believer truly embraces this word: “For the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ Is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore, follow after the things which make for peace, and things with which one may edify another: (Romans 14:17-19). When we are “doers of the word”, then, change will have truly come to America.
es and there appears to be no improvement looming on the horizon. Perhaps you are sitting where Habakkuk sat when he said: “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord. I will joy in the God of my salvation”. (Habakkuk 3:17-18). Whether the year 2020 was a good year for you or not so good, if you were in abundance or you had a lean year, “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord”. My joy and your joy is not contingent upon our circumstances, but rather, our joy is borne out of our relationship with our heavenly Father, through the Lord Jesus Christ. You can begin again.