I awakened early this Christmas morning from having a wonderful dream. Now I know that there are people who put too much stock in dreams. However, I have been living for God long enough to know that He does speak to us through dreams and I believe that this was one of those times. I would like to share it with you.
In the dream I was on a camping trip with several people who were not Christians. As I lay in my bed roll I could hear the Lord calling my name. I awakened before dawn to watch a beautiful sunrise. As I watched it I had an awesome sense of joy and was thinking, "only God could create something like that". I thought that it was happening and when I did truly awaken it was with a beautiful sense of peace. I also awakened to hear a beautiful sound; it was raining a steady downpour, the kind that makes one want to just lay in bed and listen to it.
This morning it was as if God linked the the rain and the sunset in my mind. There are times in all of our lives when we experience drought. The spiritual droughts are far more trying than physical drought. But God in his grace knows how to send the spiritual rain on our lives. He knows how to rejuvinate things that we have thought were long dead.
I had the thought this morning that God could have created a dry earth but He does everything just right. He sends the rain to gently water the flowers to life again. We all like the gentle rains that are so soothing to the soul. Sometimes the rain is more forceful than we would expect it to be because it is needed to wash away impurities. In the natural world we can always see a parallel to the spiritual. Everytime we experience a rainfall we can be reminded that God fulfills his promises. He told Noah that as long as the earth remained the seasons would continue. He would never leave the earth in winter without the sun to warm it up again or in summer without winters rains to cool it off.
Everytime we experience a sunrise we can again know that God has smiled upon us. Just as surely as the sun rises in the natural world it will again rise in our lives. It is no wonder that the sun rises every 24 hours. God tells us in his word in the book of Lamentations that his mercies are new every morning. I believe he put the sunrise there to remind us of that promise.
This is the morning we call Christmas morning. Today we are celebrating God's most precious gift to the world. We are celebrating the fact that He came as a baby so that we can all experience a Sonrise. Truly Jesus is the light of the world. If you are in need of a sunrise in your life just reach out to him today. He will water the disillusionment of your spirit and revive your courage. He will bring back the lost hope of a future. He will restore your sense of self-worth or purpose. He will be whatever you need him to be. He is the Light of life!
Merry Christmas,
Rev. Sullivan Jones
12/25/12
12/19/12
The reason for Christmas
I woke up this morning with a song in my mind. It is called "She laid hold on the word" and it tells the story of the woman who was healed from an issue of blood. It is found in Luke 19: 43-48 and is a powerful story of what faith can do. I found the song on youtube and had to listen to it several times. I could just feel the strength of those words pouring into me. There is something about the word of God that give strength when we need it the most. The word of God is not just printing on a page. It is alive and powerful and able to touch us. (Hebrews 4:12)
We are in the season we call Christmas when we celebrate the birth of our Saviour; more than celebrating just his birth we are also celebrating the reason he came. Jesus is the living word that came down from heaven so long ago. I believe the underlying reason that He came was to heal us. This healing includes not only our bodies but our minds, souls, and hearts as well. He came to heal broken relationships and to comfort the lonely. In short, whatever healing one needs, Jesus came to be the answer.
If you know of a situation that needs healing today, claim this promise from scripture. Exodus 15:26 says "I am the Lord that heals you". If you know someone who needs healing, whether emotionally or physically, share this scripture with them today. Let them know that Jesus still heals. Share the real meaning of Christmas. Jesus heals!
God Bless,
Rev. Sullivan Jones
We are in the season we call Christmas when we celebrate the birth of our Saviour; more than celebrating just his birth we are also celebrating the reason he came. Jesus is the living word that came down from heaven so long ago. I believe the underlying reason that He came was to heal us. This healing includes not only our bodies but our minds, souls, and hearts as well. He came to heal broken relationships and to comfort the lonely. In short, whatever healing one needs, Jesus came to be the answer.
If you know of a situation that needs healing today, claim this promise from scripture. Exodus 15:26 says "I am the Lord that heals you". If you know someone who needs healing, whether emotionally or physically, share this scripture with them today. Let them know that Jesus still heals. Share the real meaning of Christmas. Jesus heals!
God Bless,
Rev. Sullivan Jones
12/6/12
Attitude and Outlook
A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones. (Proverbs 18:22)
Did you know that not one scripture in the Bible can be discounted? That's right, not one. Some scientists who have tried for many years to discredit the Bible as God's word. Yet the more we understand about science the more credible our Bible becomes. Even archaeology and history bear out the great truths of scripture.
Take the scripture above for instance. Is there really a connection between recovering from a sickness and joy? Science has long told us that laughing releases endorphins from the brain into the body that cause one to tolerate pain at a higher level. Reader's digest for many years has had a section called "Laughter, the best medicine". Many studies have been done to show how a good laugh makes those in pain feel better.
We shouldn't be surprised that laughter makes us feel better. God said it didn't he? He designed our bodies and he knows how they work. And isn't it just like our loving creator to make something so enjoyable as a good laugh to work as a medicine! I believe laughter affects not only our physical bodies but our minds and spirits as well.
Are you feeling the weight of the world today? Life seem to be going all downhill? You don't see anyway out? Try laughter. See if you can cheer someone else up. Tell someone a good joke and feel the affects of their laughter. It may just serve as the missing ingredient that you need to have a good day. Let's spread some cheer, not only at Christmas time, but the whole year through.
Laughingly Yours,
Rev. Sullivan Jones
Did you know that not one scripture in the Bible can be discounted? That's right, not one. Some scientists who have tried for many years to discredit the Bible as God's word. Yet the more we understand about science the more credible our Bible becomes. Even archaeology and history bear out the great truths of scripture.
Take the scripture above for instance. Is there really a connection between recovering from a sickness and joy? Science has long told us that laughing releases endorphins from the brain into the body that cause one to tolerate pain at a higher level. Reader's digest for many years has had a section called "Laughter, the best medicine". Many studies have been done to show how a good laugh makes those in pain feel better.
We shouldn't be surprised that laughter makes us feel better. God said it didn't he? He designed our bodies and he knows how they work. And isn't it just like our loving creator to make something so enjoyable as a good laugh to work as a medicine! I believe laughter affects not only our physical bodies but our minds and spirits as well.
Are you feeling the weight of the world today? Life seem to be going all downhill? You don't see anyway out? Try laughter. See if you can cheer someone else up. Tell someone a good joke and feel the affects of their laughter. It may just serve as the missing ingredient that you need to have a good day. Let's spread some cheer, not only at Christmas time, but the whole year through.
Laughingly Yours,
Rev. Sullivan Jones
12/4/12
Determination
Thanks to everyone for all the calls, cards, well wishes on Facebook, etc for Gail. She is doing well. She decided to do a week of Rehab before coming home this Friday We appreciate the continued prayers as she recovers. Right now the plan is to have her next surgery in June or July barring any complications. That will give her time to truly heal and it will be more convenient for me with work. Gail said to tell everyone she has never felt more loved.
This morning as I was praying a phrase came to mind that I recognized as scripture but didn't know where it was or who it pertained to. It is "set thy face like a flint toward Jerusalem". It is actually parts of two different scriptures.
Isaiah chapter 50 contains a prophecy of the Messiah being scourged, having his beard pulled out, and being spit on. This was fulfilled so distinctly in the life of Jesus that it could not be accidental. Verse 7 says "I set my face like a flint". This somewhat archaic phrase means he was determined. The fulfillment of this verse is found in Luke 10:51, "he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem".
When Jesus knew that it was time to be crucified he resolved himself to follow through with it no matter what his flesh wanted. His purpose in coming to this earth was to redeem us and he was determined to fulfill it. At least one translation uses the same terminology here, "he set his face like a flint to go to Jerusalem".
There are times in all of our lives when we must make difficult choices. We are asked to do things that we'd rather not do. We find ourselves in situations we'd rather not be in. The writer of Hebrews tells us that we are to consider in those times "him that endured such resistence of sinners.. so that you will not be wearied and faint in your minds." (Hebrews 12:3 paraphrased) He continues to say that we have not yet resisted unto blood ....
It is true that none of us will ever have to go through anything near as agonizing as Jesus did when he was on the cross. So if we are facing a challenging circumstance we just have to "set our face like a flint" and decide with the help and grace of God I will get through this no matter the cost. Once we know the will of God, let's put our all into it. Heaven is counting on us!
This morning as I was praying a phrase came to mind that I recognized as scripture but didn't know where it was or who it pertained to. It is "set thy face like a flint toward Jerusalem". It is actually parts of two different scriptures.
Isaiah chapter 50 contains a prophecy of the Messiah being scourged, having his beard pulled out, and being spit on. This was fulfilled so distinctly in the life of Jesus that it could not be accidental. Verse 7 says "I set my face like a flint". This somewhat archaic phrase means he was determined. The fulfillment of this verse is found in Luke 10:51, "he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem".
When Jesus knew that it was time to be crucified he resolved himself to follow through with it no matter what his flesh wanted. His purpose in coming to this earth was to redeem us and he was determined to fulfill it. At least one translation uses the same terminology here, "he set his face like a flint to go to Jerusalem".
There are times in all of our lives when we must make difficult choices. We are asked to do things that we'd rather not do. We find ourselves in situations we'd rather not be in. The writer of Hebrews tells us that we are to consider in those times "him that endured such resistence of sinners.. so that you will not be wearied and faint in your minds." (Hebrews 12:3 paraphrased) He continues to say that we have not yet resisted unto blood ....
It is true that none of us will ever have to go through anything near as agonizing as Jesus did when he was on the cross. So if we are facing a challenging circumstance we just have to "set our face like a flint" and decide with the help and grace of God I will get through this no matter the cost. Once we know the will of God, let's put our all into it. Heaven is counting on us!
11/21/12
Our Daily Bread
With the Thanksgiving season upon us it seems fitting that the next part of the Lord's prayer deals with God's provision. "Give us this day our daily bread." What a concept! Let's examine it just a little. What exactly is our daily bread?
For most of mankind's existence it has been a daily struggle to get something to eat. Modern technology has created a different world for us but in Biblical days people were truly tied to the land. What they were able to raise is what they ate. Bread was literally "the bread of life." If they failed to have a good wheat harvest they could easily starve. It was a year long process of plowing fields, sowing and harvesting to have a daily portion of bread. Considering this should make us so thankful that most of us will never go to bed hungry. To this Jesus spoke! And what strange teaching he did!
He told his disciples things like "take no thought for tomorrow" and when you go to preach take no coat, no staff, no money in your purses, etc..." He wanted them to learn to depend completely on God. He was not telling them that they didn't have to prepare. The scripture is very clear that we must work to eat. But he was reminding them, as his word reminds us now, that our very existence depends on God's mercy and love. We can work ourselves near to death and without God's blessing on it, our work is in vain. David said it like this in Psalm 127:1. "Except the Lord build the house they labor in vain that build it."
But we are God's children and he truly does want to establish "our houses and bless our fields." This prayer starts with "our father" and what a father he is. Let us take this time that we call "Thanksgiving" to truly give thanks to God for all he has given. Even for "our daily bread."
For most of mankind's existence it has been a daily struggle to get something to eat. Modern technology has created a different world for us but in Biblical days people were truly tied to the land. What they were able to raise is what they ate. Bread was literally "the bread of life." If they failed to have a good wheat harvest they could easily starve. It was a year long process of plowing fields, sowing and harvesting to have a daily portion of bread. Considering this should make us so thankful that most of us will never go to bed hungry. To this Jesus spoke! And what strange teaching he did!
He told his disciples things like "take no thought for tomorrow" and when you go to preach take no coat, no staff, no money in your purses, etc..." He wanted them to learn to depend completely on God. He was not telling them that they didn't have to prepare. The scripture is very clear that we must work to eat. But he was reminding them, as his word reminds us now, that our very existence depends on God's mercy and love. We can work ourselves near to death and without God's blessing on it, our work is in vain. David said it like this in Psalm 127:1. "Except the Lord build the house they labor in vain that build it."
But we are God's children and he truly does want to establish "our houses and bless our fields." This prayer starts with "our father" and what a father he is. Let us take this time that we call "Thanksgiving" to truly give thanks to God for all he has given. Even for "our daily bread."
11/12/12
Not my will!
Good Morning everyone,
I pray that you've had a great weekend and are looking forward to a successful work week. You know sometimes it is easy to forget how much of a blessing our jobs are. If you've ever been unemployed for a period of time you can identify with how it is to need work and not have it. You probably prayed prayers in that time period asking God to open the door for you. You may have prayed things like "God, I don't care what it is. I just want to be in your will." Sound familiar?
Well if you've ever prayed that, then the next part of the Lord's prayer is for you: "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven." What exactly does this mean? I know he is king in heaven, but does he really care about what I do on earth? I believe he does. In fact Ecclesiastes 9:10 says, "whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might." Collosians 3:23 tells us to do whatever we do "heartily as to the Lord, and not unto men." Whatever I am doing today, whether church work, school, or my secular job I should do it as a praise unto God.
He gave me this day. How I spend it is my gift to him. I may not have much control over what I'm asked to do today. But whatever it is, I will consider it God's will for my life and I will endeavor to do it with a cheerful spirit. Much of life is about the mundane, ordinary task that we must do. It might be laundry for a stay-at-home mom or filing reports for a working person. The exciting things come less frequently but are no more important. If not for our faithfulness in doing the mundane the exciting would not be possible. Whatever your task today, let it be your offering to God. Consider it his will for you. Do it with a cheerful spirit. It will make all the difference.
Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven ....
I pray that you've had a great weekend and are looking forward to a successful work week. You know sometimes it is easy to forget how much of a blessing our jobs are. If you've ever been unemployed for a period of time you can identify with how it is to need work and not have it. You probably prayed prayers in that time period asking God to open the door for you. You may have prayed things like "God, I don't care what it is. I just want to be in your will." Sound familiar?
Well if you've ever prayed that, then the next part of the Lord's prayer is for you: "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven." What exactly does this mean? I know he is king in heaven, but does he really care about what I do on earth? I believe he does. In fact Ecclesiastes 9:10 says, "whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might." Collosians 3:23 tells us to do whatever we do "heartily as to the Lord, and not unto men." Whatever I am doing today, whether church work, school, or my secular job I should do it as a praise unto God.
He gave me this day. How I spend it is my gift to him. I may not have much control over what I'm asked to do today. But whatever it is, I will consider it God's will for my life and I will endeavor to do it with a cheerful spirit. Much of life is about the mundane, ordinary task that we must do. It might be laundry for a stay-at-home mom or filing reports for a working person. The exciting things come less frequently but are no more important. If not for our faithfulness in doing the mundane the exciting would not be possible. Whatever your task today, let it be your offering to God. Consider it his will for you. Do it with a cheerful spirit. It will make all the difference.
Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven ....
11/5/12
Hallowed be thy Name
Good Morning everyone,
It is a rainy morning here in Jackson, MS and I'm thankful to be inside where it is warm and dry. I woke up this morning with a praise chorus running through my mind. It says in part "I'm gonna praise my Jesus 'till the walls come down. I know there's victory behind my praise. I'm gonna dance my troubles away." Then I began to think about the next part of the Lord's prayer. "Hallowed be thy name".
This is the part of the prayer where we began to thank God for his blessings. And even more so, we worship him for being who he is in our lives. He is such a constant friend and comforter. He is always right there no matter what we need. Praise and worship will take us into the presence of God quicker than anything else. In fact, to come near him we must acknowledge him, not only as saviour, but as king and Lord.
It is not just a cliche. Praise is the gateway into God's presence. If you are feeling low today just began to contemplate God's goodness. Ask him to give you a renewed appreciation for his grace and mercy. Find SOMETHING to praise him about. It will make all the difference.
HOLY IS HIS NAME!
It is a rainy morning here in Jackson, MS and I'm thankful to be inside where it is warm and dry. I woke up this morning with a praise chorus running through my mind. It says in part "I'm gonna praise my Jesus 'till the walls come down. I know there's victory behind my praise. I'm gonna dance my troubles away." Then I began to think about the next part of the Lord's prayer. "Hallowed be thy name".
This is the part of the prayer where we began to thank God for his blessings. And even more so, we worship him for being who he is in our lives. He is such a constant friend and comforter. He is always right there no matter what we need. Praise and worship will take us into the presence of God quicker than anything else. In fact, to come near him we must acknowledge him, not only as saviour, but as king and Lord.
It is not just a cliche. Praise is the gateway into God's presence. If you are feeling low today just began to contemplate God's goodness. Ask him to give you a renewed appreciation for his grace and mercy. Find SOMETHING to praise him about. It will make all the difference.
HOLY IS HIS NAME!
10/29/12
A Heavenly Father ...
October 29, 2012
Good Afternoon everyone,
Here is the next portion of my thoughts on the Lord's prayer. I hope you enjoy it.
Our Father which art in heaven .....
How often do we open prayer with Dear Heavenly Father . . . I know for me it can become just a ritual but He really is a HEAVENLY father. The Apostol Paul spoke of this in Hebrew 12:9: "we have had fleshly fathers and they corrected us". But God is not like an earthly father. He is so much bigger than the best father among us. He truly sits up high and looks down low as the song says. Isaiah 40:22 says that he sits enthroned above the circle of the earth. From that vantage point he can see the past, present, and future all at once. He can judge situations and make decisions that we can not. He can tell us what to do about situations that we would never be able to figure out alone. He is truly above all.
Psalm chapter 50 and verse 21 gives a warning to those who would think that God is like us. God says that he will set our thinking straight (paraphrase). His ways are so much higher than our ways and his thoughts are not our thoughts. When we come to him in prayer and acknowledge that he is a HEAVENLY father it makes all the difference in our frame of mind. It is so much easier to leave our problems and concerns in the hands of a God such as He. Our God reigns on high, Hallelujah!
Sincerely,
Rev. Sullivan Jones
Good Afternoon everyone,
Here is the next portion of my thoughts on the Lord's prayer. I hope you enjoy it.
Our Father which art in heaven .....
How often do we open prayer with Dear Heavenly Father . . . I know for me it can become just a ritual but He really is a HEAVENLY father. The Apostol Paul spoke of this in Hebrew 12:9: "we have had fleshly fathers and they corrected us". But God is not like an earthly father. He is so much bigger than the best father among us. He truly sits up high and looks down low as the song says. Isaiah 40:22 says that he sits enthroned above the circle of the earth. From that vantage point he can see the past, present, and future all at once. He can judge situations and make decisions that we can not. He can tell us what to do about situations that we would never be able to figure out alone. He is truly above all.
Psalm chapter 50 and verse 21 gives a warning to those who would think that God is like us. God says that he will set our thinking straight (paraphrase). His ways are so much higher than our ways and his thoughts are not our thoughts. When we come to him in prayer and acknowledge that he is a HEAVENLY father it makes all the difference in our frame of mind. It is so much easier to leave our problems and concerns in the hands of a God such as He. Our God reigns on high, Hallelujah!
Sincerely,
Rev. Sullivan Jones
10/22/12
Dynamics of Prayers - Step 1
Good Morning everyone,
I pray that everyone is having a great morning. During the month of October I have taken a break from my regular duties as adult Sunday School teacher at New Birth Church in Clinton. One sunday this month I was able to preach in another church and the other sundays I enjoyed sitting and listening to the teaching/preaching without having to be prepared myself. It has been a welcome break but I will be ready to go again starting in November. Starting in November I will be teaching a series of lessons called Dynamics of Prayers. If you are interested in getting weekly tidbits of my lesson I will be sending them out via email and my blog. If you decide you don't want to be in my blog, just let me know and my feelings will not be hurt. Thanks everyone and God Bless.
Prayer thought for the day:
The very first thing Jesus taught us to pray was "Our father". Father is a good place to start. I believe this to be the important part of the prayer. If we do not understand and know God as father then the prayer will not be as effective. Prayer is communication with God and no one can commune with God like his children. Understanding that God is our father causes prayer to take on a new meaning. When I enter his presence I have a right to be there. He is anxious to hear from me. He wants to know all about my day, my thoughts, likes and dislikes, etc. It is like a child who comes from school full of ideas, plans, and maybe fears. He will not say yes to all of my plans. He may correct my thinking on a few issues. But if I will listen in prayer as well as speak, it will be the most rewarding conversation I have all day. You may say, "But I don't know how to pray. where do I start". Just start with "Our father" and the rest will be much easier.
God Bless,
Rev. Sullivan Jones
I pray that everyone is having a great morning. During the month of October I have taken a break from my regular duties as adult Sunday School teacher at New Birth Church in Clinton. One sunday this month I was able to preach in another church and the other sundays I enjoyed sitting and listening to the teaching/preaching without having to be prepared myself. It has been a welcome break but I will be ready to go again starting in November. Starting in November I will be teaching a series of lessons called Dynamics of Prayers. If you are interested in getting weekly tidbits of my lesson I will be sending them out via email and my blog. If you decide you don't want to be in my blog, just let me know and my feelings will not be hurt. Thanks everyone and God Bless.
Prayer thought for the day:
The very first thing Jesus taught us to pray was "Our father". Father is a good place to start. I believe this to be the important part of the prayer. If we do not understand and know God as father then the prayer will not be as effective. Prayer is communication with God and no one can commune with God like his children. Understanding that God is our father causes prayer to take on a new meaning. When I enter his presence I have a right to be there. He is anxious to hear from me. He wants to know all about my day, my thoughts, likes and dislikes, etc. It is like a child who comes from school full of ideas, plans, and maybe fears. He will not say yes to all of my plans. He may correct my thinking on a few issues. But if I will listen in prayer as well as speak, it will be the most rewarding conversation I have all day. You may say, "But I don't know how to pray. where do I start". Just start with "Our father" and the rest will be much easier.
God Bless,
Rev. Sullivan Jones
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