Dear Ones,

    Let me remind you that the Texas Primary is twenty-three days away. Early voting is February 20^th through March 1^st, and Primary Election Day is March 5, 2024. Let me ask that you do several things in connection to the election. Number one, do not allow anything or anyone to deter you from your VOTING. This is not only your right, it is your DUTY. Please, do not let some ludicrous ideological belief stop you from voting.

    Now that you know of a certainty that you are going to vote, ensure that you vote purposefully. Study the issues, examine the positions, and really, the candidates themselves. Hear the word of the Lord: “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.” (Proverbs 29:2) Know this, men and women of God, voting is not only a civic duty, it is a spiritual initiative. Here what Jesus says in Luke 19:13: “And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, occupy till I come.”

    Dear people we have received from those who have gone before us, a fragile, but improving society. Let us build upon their hard work, let us occupy. I would never be so presumptuous as to suggest to you who to vote for, but I will beg you to vote.

Pastor J. Amos Jones

Each time I recite the words of the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, I am reminded of how this nation has failed people of color. That notwithstanding, the Lord God of the universe has been faithful. There is no failure in God. The purpose of this writing is not to vilify this country (the powers that be do not need my help, they are quite proficient at doing so), but rather my purpose is to glorify the God of whom we serve. To do that, let me quote the Old Testament character, Hannah, the wife of Elkanah, the mother of Samuel. Here are portions of the “Song of Hannah”:

*My heart rejoices in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.
* There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none besides thee: neither is there any rock like our God.
* The bows of the mighty man are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.
* The Lord killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bring it up. The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. He raises up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and he hath set the world upon them.

As we celebrate the accomplishments of people of color, remember, “My heart (and I hope, yours) rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn (strength) is exalted in the Lord.”

Be blessed during Black History Month.
Pastor J. Amos Jones

On today we celebrate and honor our Deacons and Trustees as they affirm their Christian servanthood. Join this Pastor as we examine this day. 

Affirm: To say positively; declare firmly; assert to be true.

Affirmation: The act of affirming or declaring, a confirming.

On this day the Deacons are saying unequivocally that they are servants of the Most High and to the people of His church. The office of Deacon was born out of a need to organize the distribution of food to the poor. The Apostles needed to focus on preaching, so they chose others to administer the food program. The Apostles’ priorities were correct. The ministry of the word should never be neglected because of administrative burdens. Those men chosen did not take this administrative task lightly. Notice the requirements for the men who were to handle the food program. They were to be well respected and full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. Spiritual leadership is serious business and must not be taken lightly by the church or the leaders. Deacons must be honest, spiritually mature, caring, with an Act 6:3 sensibility.  On this day the Deacons are declaring that is who they are, Biblical Deacons.

And for our Trustees, they are administrators like Joseph in Genesis, chapters 41-47. To the Deacons and Trustees, the church honors your commitment to the Lord Jesus and His church.

Be blessed as you serve in spirit and in truth.

Pastor J. Amos Jones

By definition, a habit is an act repeated so often by an individual that it has become automatic with him/her. A pattern of action that is acquired and has become so automatic that it is difficult to control. So, let’s discuss breaking bad habits.

To break bad habits, we must first of all rely on the Holy Spirit’s power. As with dealing with Satan, we must submit ourselves to God. We know that greater is He that is within us than he that is in the world. Habits are acts emanating from the soul realm or the flesh. Hear the word of the Lord: “…Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” (Gal. 5:16). Thus, being led by the Holy Spirit involves the desire to hear, the readiness to obey God’ word, and the sensitivity to discern between your feelings and His promptings. In  Colossians 3:5-17, we are given some help in “behavior modification” i.e.: breaking bad habits. In verse eight, Paul’s words to “put off” these sins can also be translated, “Lay aside the old self and put on the new.” This action was not so mystical but practical and moral. Many bad habits are self-destructive; hence the apostle says in verse five “Mortify therefore your members…” What he means is we should consider ourselves dead and unresponsive to bad habits. Here is a quick test to determine if this is a bad habit: Does what we say or do glorify God and/or honor man? If not, perhaps we should not say or do it.

Pastor J. Amos Jones