Affirmation (n)

 The act of affirming or declaring

1. Something affirmed; positive declaration; assertion
2. Law a solemn declaration, but not under oath

 Deacons and Trustees Affirmation Day. A day of celebration and appreciation.

 On today we, the corporate body of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, celebrate the men who have taken on a noble task and as such have declared their willingness to serve the Body of Christ, the Church.

 To be a deacon or trustee is an awesome responsibility that requires a commitment that is not for the faint of heart. Deacons and Trustees must be committed to the revealed truths of the Christian faith and must live with a clear conscience. (For we walk by faith, not by sight). We are celebrating men who understand the qualifications of deacons and are publicly affirming that they possess those qualifications. They are declaring that they are men who are respected and have integrity. These are men who realize who they are working for. As members of the Body of Christ, we appreciate the commitment to the Kingdom that our deacons and trustees have made and we praise God for them. On this day as the deacons and trustees assert their servanthood, let the membership respect the leadership that is found in their servanthood. Praise God that our deacons and trustees have listened to Jesus as He said, “whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister (servant): And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant”. (Matthew 20:26b, 27).

 Pastor J. Amos Jones

Dear Ones, may I ask what is your PASSION? (capitalized for emphasis) Passion usually implies a strong emotion that has an overpowering or compelling effect, i.e., extreme, compelling emotion; intense emotional drive or excitement. For this Pastor, it is no secret; I have a passion for the lost, for souls.

 2^nd Peter 3:9 gives insight into the heart of God: “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” Out of this passage of scripture is spawn this Pastor’s passion for the lost.

 Number One, lost humanity being reconciled to Him is a passion of the Lord. In His desire that none should perish, God gave His only Son, the righteous for the unrighteous. Moreover, the Lord is extraordinarily patient with fallen humanity, we blow it big-time and it is because of the Lord’s mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed. Praise God, His tender compassions fail not. You now know the Pastor’s passion, however, the question is, what is your passion?

 Let me give you some “Food for Thought”: (1 John 2:15) “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (The world, or realm, of sin, which is controlled by Satan and organized against God and righteousness). If your passion is not for God, His Kingdom, His righteousness or His will and purpose for your life, may I suggest that you subdue your passion and bring it into conformity with the will and desire of Almighty God. Hear and model the Apostle Paul: “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ” (Phil. 1:7).

 Be blessed as we continue in Him.

Pastor J. Amos Jones

Dear Ones, may I ask what is your PASSION? (capitalized for emphasis) Passion usually implies a strong emotion that has an overpowering or compelling effect, i.e., extreme, compelling emotion; intense emotional drive or excitement. For this Pastor, it is no secret; I have a passion for the lost, for souls.

 2^nd Peter 3:9 gives insight into the heart of God: “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” Out of this passage of scripture is spawn this Pastor’s passion for the lost.

 Number One, lost humanity being reconciled to Him is a passion of the Lord. In His desire that none should perish, God gave His only Son, the righteous for the unrighteous. Moreover, the Lord is extraordinarily patient with fallen humanity, we blow it big-time and it is because of the Lord’s mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed. Praise God, His tender compassions fail not. You now know the Pastor’s passion, however, the question is, what is your passion?

 Let me give you some “Food for Thought”: (1 John 2:15) “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (The world, or realm, of sin, which is controlled by Satan and organized against God and righteousness). If your passion is not for God, His Kingdom, His righteousness or His will and purpose for your life, may I suggest that you subdue your passion and bring it into conformity with the will and desire of Almighty God. Hear and model the Apostle Paul: “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ” (Phil. 1:7).

 Be blessed as we continue in Him.

 Pastor J. Amos Jones

“Happy New Year”! How often we are greeted with that greeting. We are told “to” but not “How to.” Here are three principles that will help the person who employs them to have a Happy New Year!

 Number One: We must have a “Kingdom mindset.” Matthew 6:22 tells us that our eyes are the “lamps” for our bodies. A pure eye allows sunshine into our souls. Stay positive. See what God has done, and is doing for us and through us.   Don’t allow your life to be governed by negative thoughts and/or deeds. Stay away from negative people. They are poison to the soul. When you can’t isolate yourself from negative people, you can always insulate yourself with the living, covering, Word of God. “Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies, for they are ever with me”  (Psalm 119:98)

 Number Two: We must “settle the God matter” in our lives. We can only truly serve one master. As Christians, we cannot vacillate when it comes to things of God. We must say with certainty, as did Joshua: “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15 d).

 Thirdly: “Get a Kingdom perspective.” Our focus should be the Kingdom of God. (His Kingdom – where the will of God is manifest in the earth realm). We must aim at, and strive after, His Kingdom and His Righteousness, for the fulfillment of our prayer: “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” When we really know, I mean really know, that God is in control, that He is sovereign, that He has the preeminence in all things, then it becomes abundantly clear that it isn’t our position, but our disposition that makes us happy. The question then arises, when should we apply these principles to have a “happy new year”? Let the Psalmist give us some spiritual insight: “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).

 There are three hundred and sixty-three more days in 2016. Begin each of them with the acknowledgement that God Is, and walk in Him, and you will have a happy day, and hence, a Happy New Year. Be blessed in 2016. The best is yet to come.

 Pastor J. Amos Jones

“Happy New Year”! How often we are greeted with that greeting. We are told “to” but not “How to.” Here are three principles that will help the person who employs them to have a Happy New Year!

 Number One: We must have a “Kingdom mindset.” Matthew 6:22 tells us that our eyes are the “lamps” for our bodies. A pure eye allows sunshine into our souls. Stay positive. See what God has done, and is doing for us and through us. Don’t allow your life to be governed by negative thoughts and/or deeds. Stay away from negative people. They are poison to the soul. When you can’t isolate yourself  from negative people, you can always insulate yourself with the living, covering, Word of God. “Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies, for they are ever with me”  (Psalm 119:98)

 Number Two: We must “settle the God matter” in our lives. We can only truly serve one master. As Christians, we cannot vacillate when it comes to things of God. We must say with certainty, as did Joshua: “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15 d).

 Thirdly: “Get a Kingdom perspective.” Our focus should be the Kingdom of God. (His Kingdom – where the will of God is manifest in the earth realm). We must aim at, and strive after, His Kingdom and His Righteousness, for the fulfillment of our prayer: “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” When we really know, I mean really know, that God is in control, that He is sovereign, that He has the preeminence in all things, then it becomes abundantly clear that it isn’t our position, but our disposition that makes us happy. The question then arises, when should we apply these principles to have a “happy new year”? Let the Psalmist give us some spiritual insight: “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).

 There are three hundred and sixty-three more days in 2016. Begin each of them with the acknowledgement that God Is, and walk in Him, and you will have a happy day, and hence, a Happy New Year. Be blessed in 2016. The best is yet to come.

 Pastor J. Amos Jones