There will be a Memorial Service to commemorate the life

of Pastor J. Amos Jones Friday, August 23, 2024, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Friendship M.B.C.

FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK August 18, 2024 (repost)

Dear Ones,

It is good to know that there are blessings in Death. For those who die in the Lord and blessings for those they leave behind.  The Book of Revelation has seven promised blessings. They constitute the “Beatitudes” of the Revelation.  The second of these will arrest our attention: Rev. 14:13 (AMP): “Then I heard [the distinct words of] a voice from heaven, saying. “Write,‘Blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!’” “Yes [blessed indeed],” says the Spirit, “so that they may rest and have relief from their labors, for their deeds do follow them,” God’s people can produce fruit that survives even death.

God will remember our love, kindness, and faithfulness, and those who accept Christ through our witness will join us in the new earth. The remaining six scriptures of the Beatitudes of the Revelation are: 1:3; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7 &14, (for your edification.) The words of Jesus found in John 11:25-26, are certainly a blessing and are of great comfort: “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:  And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.  Believest thou this?”  Hear the word of the Lord: “For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.” (Romans 14:8). Amen.

Pastor J. Amos Jones

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our beloved Pastor, Rev. J. Amos Jones.  Funeral arrangements will be made available as soon as they are finalized.  In support of the family, please feel free to join us at the church, at 7:30 this evening for a special prayer meeting.

May God help and comfort us all.

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.”  (Proverbs 11:30)  A wise person is a model of a meaningful life.  His(Her) sense of purpose attracts others who want to know how they too can find meaning.  Gaining wisdom yourself, then, can be the first step in leading people to Christ.  The Amplified Bible says “he who is wise captures and wins souls [for God—he gathers them for eternity.]

Why is it important to lead people to Christ?  Because it keeps us in touch with Him while it offers others eternal life.  To have a passion for the lost is exemplified by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:19:  “For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.”  The goals of Paul’s life were to glorify God and to bring people to Christ.  My dear brothers and sisters, it is this Pastor’s desire that those will be your goals as well.  To glorify God and to bring people to Christ.

Dear Ones, you know it is not the will of God that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)  The thought of anyone spending eternity separated from God should motivate us to lead people to Christ.  The life of the believer, the Wiseman says of it:  “The fruit of the [consistently] righteous is a tree of life and he who is wise captures and wins souls [for God—he gathers them for eternity]. (Proverbs 11:30 AMP)

Let’s continue to walk in wisdom.,

Pastor J. Amos Jones       

What are you thankful for and about?  For many the answer is quite predictable.  We are thankful for life, health, and for the many blessings our heavenly Father has bestowed upon us.  We are thankful to Him for our salvation, for our relationship with Him through our Lord Jesus Christ.

We thank Him for our spouses, our children, grandchildren, etc.  Those answers are obvious.  The more probing question is: Are we thankful when things are not so pleasant.  The Psalmist gives us the answer:  “I will bless the Lord at all times:  His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”  (Psalm 34:1)

In good times and in times that are not so good, we know that God is working a work in our lives.  In times of adversity our character is being developed and our faith strengthened.  In the down times of life, God demonstrates His awesomeness.  Hear the Apostle James:  “Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for you.  For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So let it grow for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.”  (James 1:2-4 NLT)

Dear Ones, for this I give Him thanks.

Pastor J. Amos Jones