Friendship Missionary Baptist Church
Fanners of the Flame
I apologize for dropping the ball for birthday postings this month.
LeDarius Jackson
Deacon Nelson Morgan
Kennedi Woods
Marita Smith
Terence Branch
Danye Holmes
Janiqua Brisco
Lynne Bryant
Jessica Trotter
Ariel Broussard
Lillian Williams
Linda Wiggins
Allie Norris
Tamya Karen Porter
Deacon Leon Moore
Patricia Allen
In the twenty-second chapter of the book of Acts, the Apostle Paul asserts his Roman citizenship to the centurion who is about to have him whipped. Paul was a possessor of dual citizenship. Not only was he a citizen of Israel, but Paul was born with Roman citizenship. His Roman citizenship afforded him certain privileges. A Roman citizen could not be whipped, particularly one who has not even been tried. As people of God, we are possessors of dual citizenship. We are citizens of the United States of America, and most importantly, we are citizens of the Kingdom of the most high God. We should have the appropriate fidelity to each. They are not mutually exclusive, but rather, to be a Christian is to concern oneself with good government. Jesus said we should “render therefore under Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.” (Matthew 22:21)
We have just experienced a very contentious election. One that reflected a tremendous lack of civility. As Christians, and citizens of the Kingdom of God, we understand what the Apostle Paul is saying in Galatians 5:15: “But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.” One thing that has been troubling to this Pastor is that many who profess to be Christians are as contentious, are as less civil, are as mean as the most brittle politician. Too, often, even Christians, are bogged down ideologically and they fail to understand. “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” (Galatians 5:14)
The elections are now over. However, Dear Ones, please remember we have dual citizenship. I am reminding us that we must function in each venue. Christians bring to our society a virtue that Jesus has ordained: “Ye are the salt of the earth,” “Ye are the light of the world.” Ideologues are more concerned with “Red, Blue, Democrats, Republicans,” Christians should be more concerned with “What is best for the people.”
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son.” God’s great love for people must be our love for people.
Pastor J. Amos Jones
“Celebrate with the Pastor” is this Pastor’s response to the goodness and faithfulness of almighty God. What I am asking from each of you, dear ones, is to celebrate with me the “Isness” of God. Let me share with you seven examples by way of elaboration.
This celebration is about more than forty-seven years of pastoring, fifty years of preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, or even His mighty healing process demonstrated during my recent health challenge. We are celebrating the “Isness” of God in all of the above and His perpetual presence in the life of this Pastor and in the fellowship of this church.
To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen. (Jude 25)
That is awesome and it demands a celebration! Let the redeemed of the Lord celebrate, those whom He hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy (that’s us folks)!
Pastor J. Amos Jones
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”
It is this Pastor’s desire and hope that out of Black History month will come the sense of community and the knowledge that the living God is with us and it is He that has delivered us. Dr. King’s life and work as a national leader of the Civil Rights movement was geared to improving the lot of all people – irrespective of race, creed, or heritage. He envisioned a world where we will all enjoy the blessings of freedom, hope justice. Dr. King’s dream has not as yet been fully realized, however, we praise God for the great improvements that have been made. We are all aware of the significant contributions to our community made by Dr. King, but the question each of us must answer is this: “What am I doing for others?”
Dear Ones, we share a common destiny. God has richly blessed all of us. We need only to look where the Lord has brought us from. I must remind you that we are blessed to be a blessing. God gives to each of us according to our individual abilities. Having said that, we all have something to contribute to the betterment of our society. Please know this, you can have what you want, if you help others get what they want. There is still much to be done to address the helplessness, hopelessness and futility that is the breeding ground for much of the Black on Black crime. We will not find the answers to this country’s ills in the arena of politics, even though we have had a black President. The answers lie with the living God who is “among us.” Can you hear the Apostle Paul, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Let’s get busy.
A big “God Bless You” goes out to Sister Rosa Morrow and the dear ladies who worked with her in putting together an excellent Women’s Day program. What an awesome program. To God be the glory. Thank you so very much.
Pastor J. Amos Jones
Praise God for Spirited-filled, Holy Ghost led women, who are a blessing to the and in the Kingdom of God. Women have always contributed significantly to the furtherance of the Kingdom. The New Testament is rich in examples of Godly women used mightily by the Lord in the early Church. It has been this Pastor’s good fortune to have known, and to know, Godly women who model the examples of the women of the early Church. What a blessing women are, and have always been!
When this Pastor came to Friendship in 1973, there were caring, working, warm, and loving women who loved the Lord and His Church, and sought the best for their new Pastor. Women like Addie Lee Dogan, Minnie Ola Branch Johnson, Clara Ellis, Melvina “Su Su” Ennis, Katherine Holloway, nurturers indeed, and blessed with many talents. There were also talented workers like Verdell Cooper, Ivy Miller and Catherine Miller. How faithful our heavenly Father has been. Through-out these forty-seven years, God has always provided women who love Him and seek the furtherance of His Kingdom. This Pastor is truly grateful to the Lord for the caring, working, warm, and loving women of 2020. Women who love the Lord and His Church and seek the best for their Pastor.
Be blessed ladies as we celebrate Women’s Annual Day.
Pastor J. Amos Jones
