But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
I have had a song in my mind for several days. The chorus says "It wasn't the nails that held Jesus to the cross. He could have come down but my soul would still be lost. The ransom was so high only he could pay the cost. It wasn't the nails that held him to the cross."
This morning I awoke again with those lyrics in my mind. As I dressed for work I found myself singing it. I couldn't help but stop and worship Jesus just a moment for paying the price for my sins. I am thankful that he was willing to go all the way for me. When I begin to contemplate his great love for me I feel at once overwhelmed and grateful. Overwhelmed because it seems so high a price to pay. And grateful because, as in the words of the song, I could never have paid the price for myself.
Are you feeling low today? Are you tired and weary? Wondering if anyone loves you? Just remember that Jesus Christ, God in flesh, went to the cross for you. Take a moment to reflect on how much God loves you. I guarantee it will make you feel better.
In His service,
Rev. Sullivan Jones
1/25/13
1/23/13
Excellence
Most of us have a new 2013 calendar hanging on the wall. Some may have several depending on their lifestyles. I like a calendar with pretty photos that speak to me. Last year my calendar was a photo album of the wonders of the natural world. Each month I got to see a glimpse of God's handiwork in nature. It was truly refreshing.
This year I chose a calendar with inspirational sayings on it. It caught my eye as I was walking through Sam's club and I had to have it. On the first page (with the last four months of 2012) is a beautiful mountain scene. The word EXCELLENCE is written across the bottom with an inspirational line under it. It says "Some excel because they are destined to, most excel because they are determined to." January's inspiration is "Opportunity: Creat a path where there is none. A world of possibilities lies ahead."
Never have I read words with more truth to them. To the casual observer it may seem that they are just pretty words on a page but these words convey a deeper meaning. There are some who seem to have opportunity handed to them on a silver platter but most of us have to create our own opportunities. It is true that God wants us to trust him but as the book of James says, "Faith without works is dead." (James 2:17). In this life nothing is free. You may have been given something but someone paid for it.
We can create so much of our destiny with how we feel about life. If we look at the negative we will get negative results. If we look at the positive, thanking God for each new day, we will reap the benefits. The world is full of self help, make-me-feel-good books that will tell you the same thing. Because of this, it is so easy to blow off the words as just hype. For the child of God, however, these words should take on even more meaning. As the late Rev. Mike Edge, missionary to Mexico and Honduras once told me, "Why be discouraged? You have your whole life in front of you." It is so true.
With Jesus on my side I truly can do anything. Yes, I'm human, so I will make mistakes. But with Jesus on my side, I can always get up again. And though I may fail a test, I will never be a failure if I follow Jesus. His road leads to victory. The opportunites he creates will be worth the journey. Don't look back years from now and wish you had done things differently. Seize the moment and do something. God can't stear a parked car. If you begin to drive he will direct you into paths you would never had dreamed possible. Don't be afraid to try. If you see an opportunity take it. If not, ask God to help you create one of your own. The ideas He gives will always work. Jesus never fails!
God Bless,
Rev. Sullivan Jones
This year I chose a calendar with inspirational sayings on it. It caught my eye as I was walking through Sam's club and I had to have it. On the first page (with the last four months of 2012) is a beautiful mountain scene. The word EXCELLENCE is written across the bottom with an inspirational line under it. It says "Some excel because they are destined to, most excel because they are determined to." January's inspiration is "Opportunity: Creat a path where there is none. A world of possibilities lies ahead."
Never have I read words with more truth to them. To the casual observer it may seem that they are just pretty words on a page but these words convey a deeper meaning. There are some who seem to have opportunity handed to them on a silver platter but most of us have to create our own opportunities. It is true that God wants us to trust him but as the book of James says, "Faith without works is dead." (James 2:17). In this life nothing is free. You may have been given something but someone paid for it.
We can create so much of our destiny with how we feel about life. If we look at the negative we will get negative results. If we look at the positive, thanking God for each new day, we will reap the benefits. The world is full of self help, make-me-feel-good books that will tell you the same thing. Because of this, it is so easy to blow off the words as just hype. For the child of God, however, these words should take on even more meaning. As the late Rev. Mike Edge, missionary to Mexico and Honduras once told me, "Why be discouraged? You have your whole life in front of you." It is so true.
With Jesus on my side I truly can do anything. Yes, I'm human, so I will make mistakes. But with Jesus on my side, I can always get up again. And though I may fail a test, I will never be a failure if I follow Jesus. His road leads to victory. The opportunites he creates will be worth the journey. Don't look back years from now and wish you had done things differently. Seize the moment and do something. God can't stear a parked car. If you begin to drive he will direct you into paths you would never had dreamed possible. Don't be afraid to try. If you see an opportunity take it. If not, ask God to help you create one of your own. The ideas He gives will always work. Jesus never fails!
God Bless,
Rev. Sullivan Jones
1/22/13
A fly in the Ointment
"Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savor." Ecclesiastes 10:1
Many of our colorful phrases in English came to be because they were taken directly from the King James Bible. "The apple of the eye" is a Jewish expression and was not used in English until the King James Bible was first published in 1611. Another such expression is "a fly in the ointment." It is taken from the above verse in Ecclesiastes. It means that something that appears to be good has a flaw that will undo any good that it could otherwise do. An example could be a used vehicle with a new paint job and a bad engine. Or maybe it is a person who does well in an interview but can't produce the work. These things are flies in the ointment.
As I was contemplating this another scripture came to mind. II Timothy 3:5 talks about people who have a form of godliness but deny the power of what they have. This makes me think again of that car with the pretty new paint job and a bad engine. That is a perfect picture of a church without God's power. God promised his church power to cast out devils, and heal the sick. He promised that we could see broken lives mended and marriages healed, etc. But these things do not come to a church without power. Jesus said we would be the salt of the earth. He also warned us not let our salt loose it's flavor. Can I put it another way? Perfume smells good but don't let flies get in. They will cause it to stink.
It is so easy to get caught up in the spirit of the world that we live in. Most people can talk for hours about the latest football game or what is happening in Hollywood. But we are at a loss for words when it comes to talking about the scripture or what God is doing in our personal lives. These are flies in the ointment. The ointment spoken of here is not just perfume but the word can also mean salve or medicine. The church is called to minister to a hurting world. We have the answer for which so many are searching. But are there flies in our ointment? If so we need the fresheness of God's presence to wash us anew and purify our "ointment."
This is about the time of year that many are breaking those New Year's committments made such a short time ago. I know I have already broken at least two. Rather than deciding to loose a few pounds why not decide to spend a little less time in entertainment and a little more time with God this year? Our world is hurting. It needs a church with power!
God Bless,
Rev. Sullivan Jones
1/18/13
Why I believe?
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)
I have a pastor friend who often asks me a simple question,"what is the word?" By this he means that he wants a fresh word of inspiration from the scripture. The word for today is Faith. Faith can mean different things to different people. Some would define it as a creed or list of things that a group of people collectively believes in. Others would say it is a personal belief in God. These these things are not wrong but the Bible gives us a clearer definition of faith. Hebrews 11:1 tells us that faith is the "substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen." In other words it is believing in something I can't see just as if I held it in my hand.
I like to read books about Biblical authority. Because some have criticized the scripture and said it is full of contradictions, entire volumes have been written to clear up those supposed contradictions. I have read many of these books and usually enjoy them. But I don't need them to help me have faith.
I recently watched a presentation about science and the Biblical flood. The presenter used science in an effort to prove that the Bible is true. I enjoyed the presentation but I didn't need it to believe..
By it's very definition, faith is believing in something I can not see. It may not make sense on a human level but because God said it, I believe it. We live in a world of scepticism where everthing must be proved, cross-referenced, and then double and triple checked. I have no problem with "contending for the faith" as it were. But I believe it means much more to God when we simply choose to believe him without needing any outside affirmation. After all the very fist step in approaching God is believing that He is. When Moses asked God about who he was God's answer was "I am."
Why not choose to believe today? I can promise that you won't be disappointed. HE IS!
I have a pastor friend who often asks me a simple question,"what is the word?" By this he means that he wants a fresh word of inspiration from the scripture. The word for today is Faith. Faith can mean different things to different people. Some would define it as a creed or list of things that a group of people collectively believes in. Others would say it is a personal belief in God. These these things are not wrong but the Bible gives us a clearer definition of faith. Hebrews 11:1 tells us that faith is the "substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen." In other words it is believing in something I can't see just as if I held it in my hand.
I like to read books about Biblical authority. Because some have criticized the scripture and said it is full of contradictions, entire volumes have been written to clear up those supposed contradictions. I have read many of these books and usually enjoy them. But I don't need them to help me have faith.
I recently watched a presentation about science and the Biblical flood. The presenter used science in an effort to prove that the Bible is true. I enjoyed the presentation but I didn't need it to believe..
By it's very definition, faith is believing in something I can not see. It may not make sense on a human level but because God said it, I believe it. We live in a world of scepticism where everthing must be proved, cross-referenced, and then double and triple checked. I have no problem with "contending for the faith" as it were. But I believe it means much more to God when we simply choose to believe him without needing any outside affirmation. After all the very fist step in approaching God is believing that He is. When Moses asked God about who he was God's answer was "I am."
Why not choose to believe today? I can promise that you won't be disappointed. HE IS!
1/16/13
The Treasures of the Snow
There is an interesting scripture found in the book of Job chapter 38 verse 22. God asks Job "Have you entered into the treasures of the snow?" This is the famous discourse between God and Job where God tells Job who he is. Some have called it God's testimony of himself. It goes on for several chapters and if you have never read it, doing so will put a lot of things in perspective - But back to the snow.
We don't get much snow here in Mississippi. In fact I have only seen it snow this far south 4 or 5 times in my lifetime and then it is usually only flurries. I can only remember seeing enough snow to build a snowman twice. A friend of mine who moved from Mississippi to Europe shared this thought with me and I have been wanting to share it. So even though it doesn't snow much here I hope it blesses you.
The Treasures of the Snow
A fresh snowfall covers everything. It is so pretty and white and makes a picture perfect scene. It makes all the yards in the neighborhood seem the same. It doesn't matter if there was trash in the yard or the grass was uncut, the snowfall covered it all. The treasure of the snow is that it acts as a purifier and transforms even the ugliest scenery into a winter wonderland.
Isn't that such a perfect picture of God's grace? It doesn't matter what we have done we can come to Jesus and be washed clean. His forgiveness is available to us just for the asking. Seem too simple? Let us hear the words of Isaiah. " Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. (Isaiah 1:18)
It doesn't matter what we have done in the past there is always a fresh snowfall of God's grace and mercy ready to cover us. If your life is marred by the scars of the past let Jesus cover you with his blood and hide your past with his love. If anyone had a reason to hold a grudge against anyone it would be God. But he doesn't. He is waiting with open arms to give us all a fresh start. Why not enjoy his mercy today? He is anxious to forgive, just ask and see!
God Bless,
Rev. Sullivan Jones
We don't get much snow here in Mississippi. In fact I have only seen it snow this far south 4 or 5 times in my lifetime and then it is usually only flurries. I can only remember seeing enough snow to build a snowman twice. A friend of mine who moved from Mississippi to Europe shared this thought with me and I have been wanting to share it. So even though it doesn't snow much here I hope it blesses you.
The Treasures of the Snow
A fresh snowfall covers everything. It is so pretty and white and makes a picture perfect scene. It makes all the yards in the neighborhood seem the same. It doesn't matter if there was trash in the yard or the grass was uncut, the snowfall covered it all. The treasure of the snow is that it acts as a purifier and transforms even the ugliest scenery into a winter wonderland.
Isn't that such a perfect picture of God's grace? It doesn't matter what we have done we can come to Jesus and be washed clean. His forgiveness is available to us just for the asking. Seem too simple? Let us hear the words of Isaiah. " Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. (Isaiah 1:18)
It doesn't matter what we have done in the past there is always a fresh snowfall of God's grace and mercy ready to cover us. If your life is marred by the scars of the past let Jesus cover you with his blood and hide your past with his love. If anyone had a reason to hold a grudge against anyone it would be God. But he doesn't. He is waiting with open arms to give us all a fresh start. Why not enjoy his mercy today? He is anxious to forgive, just ask and see!
God Bless,
Rev. Sullivan Jones
Living Holy
This morning I came across a passage in the scriptures that has always puzzled me. Jesus tells a parable in Matthew chapter 22 about a king who gave a feast. He invited some who would not come so he went and invited others who did come. When the king came in to greet the guest he found one who did not have on a wedding garment and he was thrown out of the party. In fact, he was cast into outer darkness.
This morning as I read this portion of scripture it seemed to come alive to me in a way that I had never thought of before. My mind jumped to Revelation 19:8 where Jesus said that the "fine linen is the righteousness of saints." Some translations say the righteous acts of the saints. I then realized what Jesus was talking about here. He was referring to those who will stand before him in the day of judgement and think that everything was alright when in fact it was not. He said that many will say to him in that day "Lord, Lord", but he will say "I never knew you". The reason is simple. Their lifestyles did not match up with their professions of faith.
Jesus was very adamant about telling his disciples not to be like the pharisees. His main rebuke of them was "they say and do not". (Matthew 23:3) It was that old adage again, "do as I say and not as I do." James tells us to be "doers of the word and not hearers only". (James 1:22) I know that we are saved by grace through faith but there comes a time when our actions must match what our lips say we believe. I want to be saved, don't you? Therefore I must strive to live Holy in this unrighteous world. "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." (Phillipians 4:8)
God Bless,
Rev. Sullivan Jones
This morning as I read this portion of scripture it seemed to come alive to me in a way that I had never thought of before. My mind jumped to Revelation 19:8 where Jesus said that the "fine linen is the righteousness of saints." Some translations say the righteous acts of the saints. I then realized what Jesus was talking about here. He was referring to those who will stand before him in the day of judgement and think that everything was alright when in fact it was not. He said that many will say to him in that day "Lord, Lord", but he will say "I never knew you". The reason is simple. Their lifestyles did not match up with their professions of faith.
Jesus was very adamant about telling his disciples not to be like the pharisees. His main rebuke of them was "they say and do not". (Matthew 23:3) It was that old adage again, "do as I say and not as I do." James tells us to be "doers of the word and not hearers only". (James 1:22) I know that we are saved by grace through faith but there comes a time when our actions must match what our lips say we believe. I want to be saved, don't you? Therefore I must strive to live Holy in this unrighteous world. "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." (Phillipians 4:8)
God Bless,
Rev. Sullivan Jones
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