December 12, 2021

“Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding. God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of His holiness.” (Ps 47: 6-8). As we celebrate with the members of the choir on this their Annual Day, we want to thank them for their faithful service to the Kingdom and to the Church of the Living God. As Pastor, I must tell you they (the choir) have it right! They sing praises to God, they sing praises unto our King (the Lord Jesus Christ). The choir understands that it is all about him! Once a year we formally recognize the choir on their Annual Day, but we thank and appreciate them every day.

Dear choir members, your service to the Kingdom has been awe-inspiring, and because you have it right, you know that the Lord is going to reward you for your faithfulness.  To the choir leadership, Sisters Marnita Bishop, Janice Goff, Janet Spurlock and the musicians Sisters Johnny Randall and Katelyn Johnson, and to all the choir members: “The Lord blessed thee, and keep thee: The Lord make His face shine upon the, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give the peace”. (Number 6:24-26) “Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.” (Ps 147: 1) How delightful and how right. Thank you choir for your service.

Let us continue.

Pastor J. Amos Jones

“But let justice run down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream [flowing abundantly].” (Amos 5: 24 AMP). In the year 760 B.C., the prophet Amos pinned these words in a call to repentance for an idolatrous people.  An ungodly, oppressive people ripe for the judgments of a holy God. But now in the year 2021, can it be that the arc of moral justice is bending toward righteousness? In Brunswick, GA, three white men were found guilty of murder in the death of a black man, Ahmaud Arbrey. These men were found guilty by a jury whose racial make-up was of such that it caused many to wonder if they could render a fair and just verdict. But there is a God that says: “let justice run down as waters and righteousness as a mighty stream.”

We are moving to “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”  (Micah 6: 8).

Keep the faith.

Pastor J Amos Jones

During this season of Thanksgiving as we reflect on those things for which
we are thankful, there are some areas of commonality. We are thankful for
life, family, for our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, and for salvation. In addition to all those reasons, this Pastor is thankful for women who minister in the Kingdom of God. Jesus raised women from degradation and servitude to fellowship and service, and they have responded to Him in a wonderful way. Luke’s gospel tells us that women accompanied Jesus as He ministered: “And if came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the Kingdom of God: and the twelve were with Him, and certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, and Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto Him of their substance” (Luke 8:1- 3). From the time of the ministry of Jesus, to the time of the ministry of Friendship Baptist Church, women have always been involved in the furtherance of the Kingdom of God. We praise and thank God for women who serve every area of ministry here at FMBC. While we are all see the women in the preaching ministry and the music ministry, and thank God for them, there are women who work behind the scene whose contributions to the Kingdom are less visible but just as essential. We are grateful to God for the women of Friendship, and for the men as well. Together, we are the body of Christ.
Please have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.
Pastor J. Amos Jones

“These Are They“ Revelation is a book of hope.  In our journey of life, we should park in its precious pages.  We are told: “Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. (Revelation 1: 3)  Revelation is a book of prophecy that is both prediction and proclamation. Beginning in Revelation 4, John, the revelator, has an apocalyptic view into heaven, the very throne room of God. In Chapter 7, verse 9, John sees a great multitude, an innumerable crowd that stood before the throne, comprised of people from every nation, tribe and language. There is an awesome scene of praise and worship. They said, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, and thanksgiving and honour, and power and strength, belong to our God forever and ever! Amen!” One of the elders asked John, “Who are these clothed in white? Where do they come from?” John said to him, “Sir, thou knowest”. His response was, “These are they”. This is no nebulous group of people. To the contrary, we can speak of them with specificity. These are the ones who have been saved by the blood of the Lamb. This crowd in heaven is composed of those who have been faithful to God in every generation. Every born-again believer is there. These are they whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. These are they that will spend eternity with God the Father, and with Jesus, the Lamb of God. Know this, dear ones, the victory is ours! Be blessed as you walk in Him.

Pastor J. Amos Jones

The month of October was Pastor’s Appreciation Month and what a warm and loving response this Pastor received from the members of F.M.B.C. The outpouring of love and caring concern was absolutely awesome. Without a doubt, Friendship has the most loving, the most caring, and the most generous members of any church, anywhere on this people planet. How you live out the words of Jesus: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have loved one to another.” (John 13: 34, 35).

Dear members, you have shown the Jesus kind of love in your interactions, not just with this Pastor, but with all believers. Out of your love has come a fulfillment of 1Thes. 5:12,13: “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves”. We know this truth is self-evident, we love you unconditionally with a Pastor’s heart, based on the love of Jesus for all of us. Thank you for your generosity, your many encouraging words and deeds, and your caring spirit. Thank you for hearing and acting upon what Jesus says in John 13:20 (AMP). “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, the one who receives and welcomes whomever I send receives Me; and the one who receives Me receives Him who sent Me [in that same way].”

Be blessed as you continue in Him,

Pastor J. Amos Jones