Quiet time! That is not something we get much of in the world in which we live. Everywhere we go there is noise and distraction. From TVs in every lobby and waiting room to the constant presence of a cell phone, our time is full of bustling energy. Some would call it chaos. I'm sure the mother caring for small children and the corporate executive alike would love some quiet time now and then.
I read one time about a man who got up two hours early in the morning just to practice quiet time. It was a time where he could read, pray or just sit and meditate. I decided to try it. On the days that I make myself get out of bed early enough, it is well worth it. I find that things are much clearer in the quiet of the early mornings. I sit, clear my mind and talk quietly to God. Whatever comes to mind, that is what I pray about.Sometimes God reminds me of things I have long forgotten about - sometimes there is even understanding that I didn't have before. On some days God brings people to mind and I pray for them. More than anything it is a time to let God refresh me before the chaotic bustle of the day begins.
Many of us are not comfortable with quiet time. It reminds of things we do not want to think on. It is much easier to fill the mind with entertainment or than to search the soul. I am a Pentecostal and come from a church tradition that stresses jubilant, noisy worship. We are taught to pray loud and hard. Indeed some do not even think they are praying if they are not saying something. But prayer is two-way communication with God. Naturally we need the times of "crying aloud" to God. We need the joyful foot stomping, handclapping praise that we love so much. But we also need the quiet times when we allow God to do the speaking.
For God does indeed speak. How? He speaks in a myriad of ways, depending on the situation. One way that he speaks to me is through my thoughts. When I have been praying about something and suddenly I know what to do, he is speaking. When I have been puzzled over a problem and the answer comes unbidden to mind, he is speaking. I find these "sudden knowings" come most often in the quiet of early morning when I clear my mind and allow God to speak.
If you are needing some answers I challenge you to try some quiet time this week! It will be well worth it.
4/29/13
What is Faith?
Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Faith is knowing that God will come through for me even when I don't understand what is going on around me. Faith is trusting him to supply my needs even when my emotions or telling me to be afraid. Faith is having the confidence to know God can even if I don't understand how he does it. I don't have to know how, I just know He will.
When I take my car to the mechanic I leave it in good faith knowing he will fix it. I don't tell him what is wrong. I tell him it is making a funny noise and expect him to find out why. When he says, it's fixed I pay the bill and trust him. That is faith. It is when I can ask God to fix it, leave it with him, and trust him when he says it is fixed.
Lord let me trust you more than I trust my mechanic. Amen!
Faith is knowing that God will come through for me even when I don't understand what is going on around me. Faith is trusting him to supply my needs even when my emotions or telling me to be afraid. Faith is having the confidence to know God can even if I don't understand how he does it. I don't have to know how, I just know He will.
When I take my car to the mechanic I leave it in good faith knowing he will fix it. I don't tell him what is wrong. I tell him it is making a funny noise and expect him to find out why. When he says, it's fixed I pay the bill and trust him. That is faith. It is when I can ask God to fix it, leave it with him, and trust him when he says it is fixed.
Lord let me trust you more than I trust my mechanic. Amen!
4/26/13
Success
I have a card on the wall next to my desk that was given to me last year at my ordination by friends from work. On the front is a quote by Booker T. Washington: "Success is to be measured not so much by the position reached in life as by the obstacles overcome while trying to succeed." How true those words are!
I am convinced that we spend far too much time in life worrying about what other people are thinking and doing. The old expression about keeping up with the Joneses is still true today. We see what other people have and we think, "now they are successful." But success just can't be measured that way.
I know a man who could barely read when he and his wife married. He never went to school enough to learn. Today he is an ordained minister. For those who are unaware, it might be a small thing to hear him in the pulpit. For him it is a miracle that he can stand and read scripture before a congregation. It would not be wise for him to compare himself to someone from a "well-to-do" home with a college education; the playing fields just weren't equal but today he is a huge success.
Are you feeling like you're up against something you can't beat? Just take a look behind you and see how far you've come. You might find the strength you need to get over the hurdle. And you just might find that you've been far more successful than you ever thought possible!
Thoughtfully Yours,
Sullivan Jones
I am convinced that we spend far too much time in life worrying about what other people are thinking and doing. The old expression about keeping up with the Joneses is still true today. We see what other people have and we think, "now they are successful." But success just can't be measured that way.
I know a man who could barely read when he and his wife married. He never went to school enough to learn. Today he is an ordained minister. For those who are unaware, it might be a small thing to hear him in the pulpit. For him it is a miracle that he can stand and read scripture before a congregation. It would not be wise for him to compare himself to someone from a "well-to-do" home with a college education; the playing fields just weren't equal but today he is a huge success.
Are you feeling like you're up against something you can't beat? Just take a look behind you and see how far you've come. You might find the strength you need to get over the hurdle. And you just might find that you've been far more successful than you ever thought possible!
Thoughtfully Yours,
Sullivan Jones
4/25/13
Mispronunciation
Those of you who know me know that I like languages. My favorite classes in school were the foreign language classes. I know, that makes me weird, right? Most high school foreign language students know what it is like to have to memorize parts of a skit in the target language and act them out before the class. Many students dreaded these skits but I usually enjoyed them. An incident that occurred in my French I class due to one of those skits taught me a lesson that I shall never forget.
One day I was listening to the groups before me recite their parts. There was a part A and a part B. I had the B part. Without exception, everyone who had part B pronounced a certain word incorrectly. (I can't remember which word now). They not only pronounced it incorrectly, it was unrecognizable in the French language. The teacher seemed to pay no attention. I think she was actually grading papers while the students recited. My turn was quickly coming up and I had to make a choice. I would either pronounce the word incorrectly and fit in or pronounce it as I knew it should be and risk standing out. It didn't help that I had heard some of the students discussing the correct pronunciation before class; they had argued about it a minute before deciding on the incorrect pronunciation. I was too worried about being thought of as a nerd to risk offering help.
When my turn came I followed suit and pronounced the word the same way that the three or four people before me had done. When I did the teacher, who had been looking at her desk the whole time, looked up and me and said, "what did you say? you know better than that?" I then pronounced the word correctly and went on. I wondered if she had not noticed the mispronunciations of the other students or if she knew I could do better and wouldn't let me get by with less.
Either way I determined that day never again to do less than my best just because of what someone else did. We all have our unique talents and individual abilities. What I am weak in may be someone else's strong point and vice versa. I must do all I can with the talents that God has given me. When I stand before him I want to hear him say well done. If I have done my best he will not be critical but rewarding. If I have not done my best, then he will know that as well.
Lord, help me today to do my best with the abilities that you have given me. Thank you for the grace to try again when I have failed. Help me to remember that you created me with all my peculiarities and that you love me as I am. You also love me enough not to leave me as I am. You want the best for me and I can trust you with my live. In Jesus name, Amen.
One day I was listening to the groups before me recite their parts. There was a part A and a part B. I had the B part. Without exception, everyone who had part B pronounced a certain word incorrectly. (I can't remember which word now). They not only pronounced it incorrectly, it was unrecognizable in the French language. The teacher seemed to pay no attention. I think she was actually grading papers while the students recited. My turn was quickly coming up and I had to make a choice. I would either pronounce the word incorrectly and fit in or pronounce it as I knew it should be and risk standing out. It didn't help that I had heard some of the students discussing the correct pronunciation before class; they had argued about it a minute before deciding on the incorrect pronunciation. I was too worried about being thought of as a nerd to risk offering help.
When my turn came I followed suit and pronounced the word the same way that the three or four people before me had done. When I did the teacher, who had been looking at her desk the whole time, looked up and me and said, "what did you say? you know better than that?" I then pronounced the word correctly and went on. I wondered if she had not noticed the mispronunciations of the other students or if she knew I could do better and wouldn't let me get by with less.
Either way I determined that day never again to do less than my best just because of what someone else did. We all have our unique talents and individual abilities. What I am weak in may be someone else's strong point and vice versa. I must do all I can with the talents that God has given me. When I stand before him I want to hear him say well done. If I have done my best he will not be critical but rewarding. If I have not done my best, then he will know that as well.
Lord, help me today to do my best with the abilities that you have given me. Thank you for the grace to try again when I have failed. Help me to remember that you created me with all my peculiarities and that you love me as I am. You also love me enough not to leave me as I am. You want the best for me and I can trust you with my live. In Jesus name, Amen.
4/24/13
The Pen is Mightier than the Sword
There is an old adage that says "the pen is mightier than the sword". The meaning, of course, is that words are the mightiest weapons of all. It was Martin Luther's pen that fueled the flames of the Reformation when he wrote his now famous 95 thesis. Somewhat tongue-in-cheek, Abraham Lincoln credited Harriet Beecher Stowe with starting the civil war by writing Uncle Tom's Cabin. The list goes on ...
Psalm 45:1 likens our tongue to "the pen of a ready writer." Every time we speak we are writing a story. The words that leave our mouths can be used for both good and bad. They can help to heal or they can start wars. Which it will be is up to me. The main thing about words is that they can't be taken back. Once they are spoken, they will forever be engraved in someone's mind and spirit.
Lord, help me today to think before I speak. Let me weight my words with care; I want to build up and not tear down. I want the pen of my tongue to write a love story and not a war novel. Amen.
Psalm 45:1 likens our tongue to "the pen of a ready writer." Every time we speak we are writing a story. The words that leave our mouths can be used for both good and bad. They can help to heal or they can start wars. Which it will be is up to me. The main thing about words is that they can't be taken back. Once they are spoken, they will forever be engraved in someone's mind and spirit.
Lord, help me today to think before I speak. Let me weight my words with care; I want to build up and not tear down. I want the pen of my tongue to write a love story and not a war novel. Amen.
4/23/13
The Pharisee and the Law
The Pharisees of Jesus' day began with a noble cause. They wanted to keep God in the government. The Sadducees on the other hand wanted a completely secular state without any mention of God. They had adopted, not only the Greek language and culture, but its lewd and lascivious lifestyle as well. It was a life and let live society; if it feels good, do it. The Pharisees arose in opposition to this. They rightly wanted God's word to be observed. The word Pharisee means separatists. They remembered God's command to be a Holy and Separate people.
Their failure was legalism; they made a rule for everything. They expanded the law of Moses with "what-ifs" that made daily life a chore instead of a joy. They called themselves teaching people how to observe God's law but made them dread the law instead. No doubt many where driven to abandon the law altogether because it seemed to be impossible to keep.
The problem with legalism is that one can not anticipate every situation in advance. If I tell someone what to do, instead of teaching him to think, he will always be dependent on me. If I teach him to think, he will eventually become a teacher himself. So it should be in the Christian life.
Jesus told his followers to go and make disciples. Disciples are those who have chosen to discipline themselves to follow the law. Their is nothing wrong with the law. Who would want to live in a society that had no rules? Think about driving down the street without stop lights? What is there were no laws against trespassing or even murder. You get the point.
Observing the law of God is a good thing. It brings the blessings of God on one's life. It keeps the young from folly and gives the old a place of honor and respect in society. It shows us how to live and how to die. So how should this law be enforced? The Muslim answer is to kill those who do not obey. Should this be the Christian answer as well?
As a Christian I must determine to keep the law of God out of love and respect for him. Because I love God, I will obey his word. In doing so, I pray that others will want to follow my example. Hopefully they will see through my joy for life that observing God's law is a blessing and not a curse.
The Pharisees missed the concept of living by example so they lived by law with no grace. As a Christian I must live by grace and let God enforce his law. I will not throw the law out and join the Sadducees but I will seek to live the law without the harshness of the Pharisees. The law is perfected through love.
In Christ's love,
Sullivan Jones
Their failure was legalism; they made a rule for everything. They expanded the law of Moses with "what-ifs" that made daily life a chore instead of a joy. They called themselves teaching people how to observe God's law but made them dread the law instead. No doubt many where driven to abandon the law altogether because it seemed to be impossible to keep.
The problem with legalism is that one can not anticipate every situation in advance. If I tell someone what to do, instead of teaching him to think, he will always be dependent on me. If I teach him to think, he will eventually become a teacher himself. So it should be in the Christian life.
Jesus told his followers to go and make disciples. Disciples are those who have chosen to discipline themselves to follow the law. Their is nothing wrong with the law. Who would want to live in a society that had no rules? Think about driving down the street without stop lights? What is there were no laws against trespassing or even murder. You get the point.
Observing the law of God is a good thing. It brings the blessings of God on one's life. It keeps the young from folly and gives the old a place of honor and respect in society. It shows us how to live and how to die. So how should this law be enforced? The Muslim answer is to kill those who do not obey. Should this be the Christian answer as well?
As a Christian I must determine to keep the law of God out of love and respect for him. Because I love God, I will obey his word. In doing so, I pray that others will want to follow my example. Hopefully they will see through my joy for life that observing God's law is a blessing and not a curse.
The Pharisees missed the concept of living by example so they lived by law with no grace. As a Christian I must live by grace and let God enforce his law. I will not throw the law out and join the Sadducees but I will seek to live the law without the harshness of the Pharisees. The law is perfected through love.
In Christ's love,
Sullivan Jones
4/18/13
The Belly God
I was in the store this afternoon picking up a few things I needed. It was a few hours past lunch and I was getting hungry. I have been trying to eat healthier the last couple of weeks and I guess my body was having withdrawals. I saw something on the shelf I knew I didn't need and started to put it in my shopping cart. Right at that moment a phrase of scripture came to my mind: whose God is their belly. I knew immediately what the Spirit was saying so I put the junk food back and moved on. I passed the test that time. I must admit, however, that it is one of the few times I have.
The scripture here is talking about man's appetites. If there was ever a generation whose God is its appetite, it is this one. The average American spends two or three hours a day watching tv and eating junk food all the while. We are consumed with the newest technology, the latest movie, and the latest fashions. People will stand in line all night to buy a video game for their children. "Whose God is their belly". . .
The scripture goes on to say that they glory in their shame. Without the Spirit of God to help us all of will give into our basest desires. The more we do, the more vile they become. What once was considered shameful is now paraded in the streets as decent and courageous. We wonder how we came to this place; how did America fall so far? It is because our appetites have become our God. We are ruled by what makes us feel good. It is a dangerous place to be because the more we entertain the flesh, the more we want to entertain it and the more evil it becomes.
Do you wonder why you don't desire to pray like you once did? Why is the study of scripture no longer appealing? Maybe you find yourself falling asleep in church but can stay awake all night watching a movie? It may be time to curb your appetite. I am the guiltiest of all. I realize their is a constant battle with the flesh and I must keep it under subjection to the spirit of God daily. If I don't it will win every time.
Lord, help me to remember that my body is the temple of your spirit. I must keep myself holy, both physically and spiritually. I have said that I will serve only you. Don't let me pay homage to the belly God.
Prayerfully,
Sullivan Jones
The scripture here is talking about man's appetites. If there was ever a generation whose God is its appetite, it is this one. The average American spends two or three hours a day watching tv and eating junk food all the while. We are consumed with the newest technology, the latest movie, and the latest fashions. People will stand in line all night to buy a video game for their children. "Whose God is their belly". . .
The scripture goes on to say that they glory in their shame. Without the Spirit of God to help us all of will give into our basest desires. The more we do, the more vile they become. What once was considered shameful is now paraded in the streets as decent and courageous. We wonder how we came to this place; how did America fall so far? It is because our appetites have become our God. We are ruled by what makes us feel good. It is a dangerous place to be because the more we entertain the flesh, the more we want to entertain it and the more evil it becomes.
Do you wonder why you don't desire to pray like you once did? Why is the study of scripture no longer appealing? Maybe you find yourself falling asleep in church but can stay awake all night watching a movie? It may be time to curb your appetite. I am the guiltiest of all. I realize their is a constant battle with the flesh and I must keep it under subjection to the spirit of God daily. If I don't it will win every time.
Lord, help me to remember that my body is the temple of your spirit. I must keep myself holy, both physically and spiritually. I have said that I will serve only you. Don't let me pay homage to the belly God.
Prayerfully,
Sullivan Jones
4/17/13
Raised from the Dead
Is healing
for us today? I believe it is. There are some who believe that the power to
heal went out with the days of the apostles. I have seen too many instances of
God’s miraculous power to accept this. Allow me to tell you about one of them.
After church
one Sunday I went with my brother John and his family to the beach in Gulfport,
Ms. When we got to the beach the tide was out so we decided to wade out as far
as we could. We were at a place called Moses Pier. At that place you can go out
quite a distance from shore during low tide. Once the tide started to come in
we had to hurry to beat it back to the shore.
As we neared
the beach someone began to yell, “There is a man in the water.” My brother and
another man hurried back to see. There was a man unconscious in the water near
the end of the pier. The man, whom I will refer to as Jack Smith, had dove off
of the pier into three feet of water. They began to pull him back to shore with
John asking if anyone knew CPR. The man who was helping John pull Jack out of
the water was yelling the whole time, “don’t bother, this man is dead”. They
got him to the beach and someone began to do CPR. It was evident after a few
moments that CPR was not working. There were two nurses at the scene who also
said he was dead.
John knelt
down and put his hand on the man’s chest and began to pray saying, “Not now
Jesus. Please don’t let this man go into eternity”. In a few minutes he felt
the man’s heart beat one time. Then it began to beat more steadily. When the
ambulance crew got there the man was still unconscious but he was alive.
When the
beach patrol showed up, one of the policemen identified the man as Jack Smith and said he
was an alcoholic. He implied that we should have left him in the water to
drown. My brother looked at him and said, “Man you don’t know what I was before
God changed my life.” No one is beyond the reach of God’s love.
Later John
was able to visit Jack in the hospital. He was paralyzed from the neck down but
conscious and able to talk. He thanked John for praying for him and helping to
get him out of the water. I don’t know where Jack is today but this event will
be forever imprinted on my mind as a testimony to the miraculous power of our
God. I can honestly say I have seen someone raised from the dead.
The Religion of Gnosticism
II Timothy 6:20 - O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge -
21 by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith.
The word for knowledge in this scripture (KJV says science) is the Greek word gnosis. From gnosis we get the English word Gnosticism. Gnosticism is the belief that man can educate himself into a higher moral plain. The more he learns about the mysteries of the universe, the better off he will be. While this may sound appealing to the intellectual among us, it is a dangerous thought process. Simply put, it equates man to the status of God.
If man is God, then he has no one to which he must answer for his deeds. If this is so, then there would be no moral absolutes. Without moral absolutes, then what is right and wrong are left up to the individual. There is nothing to say that Hitler was wrong; if he believed he was right, then he was.
The logical end to Gnosticism is chaos, a world without order. The world system of our day has convinced many that Christianity is outdated. Some would say it binds us to the dark ages. Others would say that the teachings of the Bible contradict modern science (gnosis). The Bible never contradicts true science or true knowledge. It only contradicts that which is falsely called knowledge. I would rather stick to that which has been proven true again and again. I would rather believe the word of God. It is true knowledge!
Forever, O Lord, your word is settled in heaven. Psalm 119:89
God Bless,
Sullivan Jones
21 by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith.
The word for knowledge in this scripture (KJV says science) is the Greek word gnosis. From gnosis we get the English word Gnosticism. Gnosticism is the belief that man can educate himself into a higher moral plain. The more he learns about the mysteries of the universe, the better off he will be. While this may sound appealing to the intellectual among us, it is a dangerous thought process. Simply put, it equates man to the status of God.
If man is God, then he has no one to which he must answer for his deeds. If this is so, then there would be no moral absolutes. Without moral absolutes, then what is right and wrong are left up to the individual. There is nothing to say that Hitler was wrong; if he believed he was right, then he was.
The logical end to Gnosticism is chaos, a world without order. The world system of our day has convinced many that Christianity is outdated. Some would say it binds us to the dark ages. Others would say that the teachings of the Bible contradict modern science (gnosis). The Bible never contradicts true science or true knowledge. It only contradicts that which is falsely called knowledge. I would rather stick to that which has been proven true again and again. I would rather believe the word of God. It is true knowledge!
Forever, O Lord, your word is settled in heaven. Psalm 119:89
God Bless,
Sullivan Jones
4/16/13
The Whipping Boy
Isaiah 53: 5 -But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
The Whipping Boy is a children's story by Sid Fleischman about a young spoiled Prince. He is always into something worthy of a whipping. But because he is the crown Prince no one can lay a hand on him. Instead another young boy is taken from the streets and beaten in his place. It almost sounds too ludicrous to be believable but history is full of such idiosyncrasies. Such things are known to have happened in times past.
The Bible tells us about another Prince. This Prince, though not guilty of any wrong doing, took the punishment for the pauper. It is the exact opposite of Fleischman's story. You and I were worthy of death because of sin. But God in his mercy provided a sacrificial substitute. Jesus Christ, the Crown Prince of heaven, suffered and died in our place so that we could be spared the pain, suffering, and mental anguish associated with our guilt.
Not only does Jesus blood wash away our sins, but it makes provision for the healing of our bodies, minds and spirits as well. If you need something from God, the blood of Jesus makes it possible. You need never fear being rejected because of past failure or feelings of unworthiness. If there is sin in your life, you can confess it and God will wash it away. If you need healing, you can claim the promises of Isaiah 53.
At the end of Fleischman's story the "whipping boy" is elevated to the status of a Prince and lives in equality with the king's own son. In the same way, we have been adopted into the family of God and make sons and daughters of the king. We are paupers no more. Jesus bought our freedom - enjoy the benefits.
The Whipping Boy is a children's story by Sid Fleischman about a young spoiled Prince. He is always into something worthy of a whipping. But because he is the crown Prince no one can lay a hand on him. Instead another young boy is taken from the streets and beaten in his place. It almost sounds too ludicrous to be believable but history is full of such idiosyncrasies. Such things are known to have happened in times past.
The Bible tells us about another Prince. This Prince, though not guilty of any wrong doing, took the punishment for the pauper. It is the exact opposite of Fleischman's story. You and I were worthy of death because of sin. But God in his mercy provided a sacrificial substitute. Jesus Christ, the Crown Prince of heaven, suffered and died in our place so that we could be spared the pain, suffering, and mental anguish associated with our guilt.
Not only does Jesus blood wash away our sins, but it makes provision for the healing of our bodies, minds and spirits as well. If you need something from God, the blood of Jesus makes it possible. You need never fear being rejected because of past failure or feelings of unworthiness. If there is sin in your life, you can confess it and God will wash it away. If you need healing, you can claim the promises of Isaiah 53.
At the end of Fleischman's story the "whipping boy" is elevated to the status of a Prince and lives in equality with the king's own son. In the same way, we have been adopted into the family of God and make sons and daughters of the king. We are paupers no more. Jesus bought our freedom - enjoy the benefits.
4/12/13
Contentment
I Timothy 6:6 - But godliness with contentment is great gain.
Most of us remember the Wizard of Oz. We remember hearing Dorothy belt out the words to "somewhere over the rainbow." I would hear those words as a child and just dream about a place where all of my problems would be left behind. Dorothy finally realizes that her problems will follow wherever she goes. In the end she understands that there is no place like home.
It is easy to imagine that someone else has an easier lot in life than we do. When I was pushing a broom as a janitor I could hardly wait to have a professional career with a title and an office. Now that I have it, along with its responsibilities, there are days when I wouldn't mind going back to pushing a broom. It seems like, in some ways, there was far less stress.
The tenth commandment tells us not to covet: not to want what out neighbor has. Why? Because the quickest way to become unhappy with what we have is to look at what someone else has. We might covet their car, but they also have a car note. What about the new house? Can I pay that house note every month on what I make? You get the idea?
It is in the nature of fallen humanity to be dissatisfied; the quickest way to be happy is to learn contentment. But how do we learn to be content? We must learn to see what we have and where we are as blessings and not curses. If we are unhappy in our present circumstances, we can rest assured that it will not last forever. Nothing in this life is forever. If we are content where we are, let us remember when we weren't as blessed and do something to help someone else if we can.
Contentment is the key that opens the treasure room of life. Thank God for where you are now. Ask him to show you how you can make the most of it. You might be surprised when you realize just how much you have to be thankful for.
God Bless,
Sullivan Jones
Most of us remember the Wizard of Oz. We remember hearing Dorothy belt out the words to "somewhere over the rainbow." I would hear those words as a child and just dream about a place where all of my problems would be left behind. Dorothy finally realizes that her problems will follow wherever she goes. In the end she understands that there is no place like home.
It is easy to imagine that someone else has an easier lot in life than we do. When I was pushing a broom as a janitor I could hardly wait to have a professional career with a title and an office. Now that I have it, along with its responsibilities, there are days when I wouldn't mind going back to pushing a broom. It seems like, in some ways, there was far less stress.
The tenth commandment tells us not to covet: not to want what out neighbor has. Why? Because the quickest way to become unhappy with what we have is to look at what someone else has. We might covet their car, but they also have a car note. What about the new house? Can I pay that house note every month on what I make? You get the idea?
It is in the nature of fallen humanity to be dissatisfied; the quickest way to be happy is to learn contentment. But how do we learn to be content? We must learn to see what we have and where we are as blessings and not curses. If we are unhappy in our present circumstances, we can rest assured that it will not last forever. Nothing in this life is forever. If we are content where we are, let us remember when we weren't as blessed and do something to help someone else if we can.
Contentment is the key that opens the treasure room of life. Thank God for where you are now. Ask him to show you how you can make the most of it. You might be surprised when you realize just how much you have to be thankful for.
God Bless,
Sullivan Jones
4/11/13
Oppress Not a Stranger
Exodus 22:21 - Do not mistreat or oppress a stranger, for you were strangers in Egypt.
Living in a foreign country is an exciting thing. It is a wonderful chance to learn about the culture, religious beliefs, and traditions of a different people group. Often we find that some things we thought to be distinctly North American are common to people all over the world. Other things that we assumed would be universal or not. There is always much to learn; one must be careful not to judge. What is considered rude or vulgar in the home country may not be rude elsewhere and vice versa.
When living in a different culture, one never knows how he will be accepted. There were always the questions of "what are you doing here?" These were usually from curious people who meant no harm. One day a lady stopped me at a street side grocery store and asked, "Excuse me, of what nationality are you?" When I told here I was from the states and doing mission work she was overjoyed. It proved to be a pleasant conversation. Other times were not so pleasant. I was asked by one man, why I didn't have to pay income tax in his country. He had been told that we were allowed to live there without paying taxes and he was angry about it. Where he got his information, I don't know. I wasn't earning any money in the country and paid dearly every month for my visa. Another time a man mistook me for a Mormon. He followed my roommate and me throwing rocks and cursing us in Spanish. In his defense, I'm sure he had been drinking. He may have been a nice guy without the awful bondage to alcohol. And there was the lady who told me that all of the problems in her country where because the "North Americans" came down and took over, thinking they didn't have to obey the rules. Sound familiar?
Since my time abroad I have not been able to look at a "stranger" the same. I understand first hand the effort it takes to live in a foreign country. I understand the desperation that drives people to come here, whether legally or not, in hopes of a better life. I understand the challenges they will face once they are here. Many come thinking they will be "as rich as the rest of us." They are soon disappointed when they see that life has its ups and downs no matter where one is.
I understand that there are increasing challenges and disagreements in our own country over immigration issues.The purpose of this writing is not to be political. One thing that I learned while living in Central America is that these issues are not unique to the United States. Other countries, even third-world countries, have some of the same issues and there are no easy answers.
I would just like to remind all of us of one of the first commandments God ever gave to his people, that of treating a "stranger" with respect. In the end we are all fellow human beings on this planet. We must all share it until our time here is done. As a Christian, I believe that my first priority is to love someone, whether I agree with them or not. As a minister I have strong views about what is right and what is wrong. But in the end I must remember the words of Jesus; we will be known as his disciples because of our love to one another.
I realize that we all have our preconceived ideas. We are most comfortable among people who look, speak, act and think as we do. This in itself is not wrong. It is wrong, however, to think that someone else is less than I am because they are different than me. The definition of prejudice is to see things based on my own experiences in life; literally it means to prejudge a situation without having all the facts. To be prejudiced is human; to look beyond my preconceived ideas and see a real person is divine.
I am just as human as anyone else, prejudice and all. I know, however, that this is not like God. My daily prayer has become this: Lord, help me to treat everyone I meet as a brother or a sister. Help me to see past the skin color or the language barrier. I may just find a kindred spirit. Help me to see all of humanity as you do, Lord. Teach me to love!
Thoughtfully Yours,
Sullivan Jones
Living in a foreign country is an exciting thing. It is a wonderful chance to learn about the culture, religious beliefs, and traditions of a different people group. Often we find that some things we thought to be distinctly North American are common to people all over the world. Other things that we assumed would be universal or not. There is always much to learn; one must be careful not to judge. What is considered rude or vulgar in the home country may not be rude elsewhere and vice versa.
When living in a different culture, one never knows how he will be accepted. There were always the questions of "what are you doing here?" These were usually from curious people who meant no harm. One day a lady stopped me at a street side grocery store and asked, "Excuse me, of what nationality are you?" When I told here I was from the states and doing mission work she was overjoyed. It proved to be a pleasant conversation. Other times were not so pleasant. I was asked by one man, why I didn't have to pay income tax in his country. He had been told that we were allowed to live there without paying taxes and he was angry about it. Where he got his information, I don't know. I wasn't earning any money in the country and paid dearly every month for my visa. Another time a man mistook me for a Mormon. He followed my roommate and me throwing rocks and cursing us in Spanish. In his defense, I'm sure he had been drinking. He may have been a nice guy without the awful bondage to alcohol. And there was the lady who told me that all of the problems in her country where because the "North Americans" came down and took over, thinking they didn't have to obey the rules. Sound familiar?
Since my time abroad I have not been able to look at a "stranger" the same. I understand first hand the effort it takes to live in a foreign country. I understand the desperation that drives people to come here, whether legally or not, in hopes of a better life. I understand the challenges they will face once they are here. Many come thinking they will be "as rich as the rest of us." They are soon disappointed when they see that life has its ups and downs no matter where one is.
I understand that there are increasing challenges and disagreements in our own country over immigration issues.The purpose of this writing is not to be political. One thing that I learned while living in Central America is that these issues are not unique to the United States. Other countries, even third-world countries, have some of the same issues and there are no easy answers.
I would just like to remind all of us of one of the first commandments God ever gave to his people, that of treating a "stranger" with respect. In the end we are all fellow human beings on this planet. We must all share it until our time here is done. As a Christian, I believe that my first priority is to love someone, whether I agree with them or not. As a minister I have strong views about what is right and what is wrong. But in the end I must remember the words of Jesus; we will be known as his disciples because of our love to one another.
I realize that we all have our preconceived ideas. We are most comfortable among people who look, speak, act and think as we do. This in itself is not wrong. It is wrong, however, to think that someone else is less than I am because they are different than me. The definition of prejudice is to see things based on my own experiences in life; literally it means to prejudge a situation without having all the facts. To be prejudiced is human; to look beyond my preconceived ideas and see a real person is divine.
I am just as human as anyone else, prejudice and all. I know, however, that this is not like God. My daily prayer has become this: Lord, help me to treat everyone I meet as a brother or a sister. Help me to see past the skin color or the language barrier. I may just find a kindred spirit. Help me to see all of humanity as you do, Lord. Teach me to love!
Thoughtfully Yours,
Sullivan Jones
4/10/13
It Made a Difference
Ezekiel 11:19 - I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh.
The story is told of a little boy who was walking along the beach at low tide, picking up every starfish he came to, and throwing it back into the ocean. A man approached him and asked, "young man, why are you wasting time with those starfish? There are so many stranded on the beach that you can not possibly make a difference with the few you save." The boy reached down, grabbed another starfish, and flung it back out into the ocean. Then he looked at the man and said, "It made a difference to that one."
When you work with people, whether it be in social services, church work, or otherwise, there are times when you ask yourself, "Am I really making a difference?" I'm sure we've all spent time, money, and energy trying to help someone who would not let us help them. For whatever reason, they just can't seem to make the changes that we know they need to make. There is so much suffering in the world and much of it is brought on by bad choices that people make. If we are not careful, these situations can make us indifferent to the suffering of others. We might be tempted to think that there is nothing we can do so why bothering trying. But there are always people out there who will let us help them. It is usually when we think that we are not making a difference, that we are doing the greatest good.
Lord Jesus, help us to not get hardened to the problems of humanity. Let us see everyone we meet as a soul for whom you died on the cross of Calvary. Help me to remember not to judge a situation before its time. As a wise man once said, If I err, let me err on the side of love.
Prayerfully Yours,
Sullivan Jones
The story is told of a little boy who was walking along the beach at low tide, picking up every starfish he came to, and throwing it back into the ocean. A man approached him and asked, "young man, why are you wasting time with those starfish? There are so many stranded on the beach that you can not possibly make a difference with the few you save." The boy reached down, grabbed another starfish, and flung it back out into the ocean. Then he looked at the man and said, "It made a difference to that one."
When you work with people, whether it be in social services, church work, or otherwise, there are times when you ask yourself, "Am I really making a difference?" I'm sure we've all spent time, money, and energy trying to help someone who would not let us help them. For whatever reason, they just can't seem to make the changes that we know they need to make. There is so much suffering in the world and much of it is brought on by bad choices that people make. If we are not careful, these situations can make us indifferent to the suffering of others. We might be tempted to think that there is nothing we can do so why bothering trying. But there are always people out there who will let us help them. It is usually when we think that we are not making a difference, that we are doing the greatest good.
Lord Jesus, help us to not get hardened to the problems of humanity. Let us see everyone we meet as a soul for whom you died on the cross of Calvary. Help me to remember not to judge a situation before its time. As a wise man once said, If I err, let me err on the side of love.
Prayerfully Yours,
Sullivan Jones
4/7/13
Libraries - Our greatest Resource
I don't know about you but I like to read. Some of my earliest memories are of my mother taking us to the library. Even today there is little I enjoy more than to sit down with a good book. Through books I have been able to see the Sahara and the windslept slopes of Pantagonia, South America. I have seen the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the horrors of the Holocaust: all of this without ever leaving my armchair. In some older books there is still a book card indicating that the book belongs to the public library. I always enjoy a book with a book card because it makes a handy page marker. At the top of one of the book cards I recently saw the words, "libraries - your greatest bargain." How true it is; one can learn almost anything from a book.
There is one book, however, that is more important than all others and, at the same time, it is the most neglected. Almost all of us have several copies in the home. It is still the most purchased book in the English language. It is especially popular to give as a graduation or wedding present. It is called the Bible. What makes this books so important? Let's take a look.
The Bible is actually a collection of books, 66 to be exact. It was written over a period of more than 1600 years, by more than 40 people, on three different continents and in three different languages. Yet is is amazingly uniform. There is not one discrepancy that can not be quickly rectified by looking at the original languages. It has proven to be scientifically, historically, and archaeologically correct time and time again. It can be trusted.
The Bible is not only historically accurate, but it speaks to us personally as well. It gives sound advice on everything from finances to romance to familial relationships. It teaches us how we should care for our bodies and what to do when we have been wronged. It does not hide anything from us. Its pages contain stories of people at their best and at their worst. It tells of grand adventures and of deadly betrayals. Indeed it is so real to life that almost no subject is taboo within its pages. God's word tells it all.
The Bible has been translated into more languages than any other book. It is easily accessible by almost anyone. If the words of the King James Version are too antiquated for one to understand, there are a variety of other versions available and they all tell the same story. It is the story of a king who lost his bride and went to great depths to get her back again. It is the story of God's unending love for humanity. It is the greatest story ever told and yet every word of it is true.
If you like to travel, open the Bible. If you like mysteries and scandals, open the Bible. If you like Romance novels, open the Bible. There is something in its pages for everyone. But beware! Once you read it, you will will never be the same.
Travel the universe - Read the Bible!
There is one book, however, that is more important than all others and, at the same time, it is the most neglected. Almost all of us have several copies in the home. It is still the most purchased book in the English language. It is especially popular to give as a graduation or wedding present. It is called the Bible. What makes this books so important? Let's take a look.
The Bible is actually a collection of books, 66 to be exact. It was written over a period of more than 1600 years, by more than 40 people, on three different continents and in three different languages. Yet is is amazingly uniform. There is not one discrepancy that can not be quickly rectified by looking at the original languages. It has proven to be scientifically, historically, and archaeologically correct time and time again. It can be trusted.
The Bible is not only historically accurate, but it speaks to us personally as well. It gives sound advice on everything from finances to romance to familial relationships. It teaches us how we should care for our bodies and what to do when we have been wronged. It does not hide anything from us. Its pages contain stories of people at their best and at their worst. It tells of grand adventures and of deadly betrayals. Indeed it is so real to life that almost no subject is taboo within its pages. God's word tells it all.
The Bible has been translated into more languages than any other book. It is easily accessible by almost anyone. If the words of the King James Version are too antiquated for one to understand, there are a variety of other versions available and they all tell the same story. It is the story of a king who lost his bride and went to great depths to get her back again. It is the story of God's unending love for humanity. It is the greatest story ever told and yet every word of it is true.
If you like to travel, open the Bible. If you like mysteries and scandals, open the Bible. If you like Romance novels, open the Bible. There is something in its pages for everyone. But beware! Once you read it, you will will never be the same.
Travel the universe - Read the Bible!
4/5/13
God Is
Exodus 3:14 - God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM.
I have often heard the adage "it is what it is." This is usually expressed when something is not as it should be. The expression in itself might seem to be a statement of praticality. If we can't change something then we should just work with what we have and not "cry over spilt milk" to borrow another expression. Leave the past in the past and go forward. I'm sure there are times when the expression fits.
However, there are times when we shouldn't just accept things as they are. There are situations in our life that need to be changed. Maybe it is a recurring ailment that keeps one feeling both spiritually and physically drained. Perhaps it is a battle with depression that one can't seem to conquer. It might be a spiritual bondage from which you have give up hope of ever being free. Whatever the problem, "it is what it is" is not the answer.
In the Old Testament God introduced himself to Moses as "I am who I am." Moses wanted to know God's name because he wanted some assurance that God could do what he said he was going to do. God's only answer was, "I am." God's Old Testament name, "JEHOVAH", actually is a form of the verb "to be". Whatever Moses needed, God was the answer.
In the same way, God wants to be your answer today. Maybe you don't see how your situation can ever be any different; perhaps you have given up hope that you can change. If you are dealing with things in your life that aren't as they should be, they don't have to stay that way. Because God "IS WHO HE IS" things can be different.
Faith is expressing belief that because "GOD IS" my situations don't "have to be". If I give them to Jesus he can work them out. I am not talking about doing away with practicality and reason. I am suggesting that we don't let "reason" deprive us of a blessing. If God promised it I can have it, because HE IS.
In Faith,
Sullivan Jones
I have often heard the adage "it is what it is." This is usually expressed when something is not as it should be. The expression in itself might seem to be a statement of praticality. If we can't change something then we should just work with what we have and not "cry over spilt milk" to borrow another expression. Leave the past in the past and go forward. I'm sure there are times when the expression fits.
However, there are times when we shouldn't just accept things as they are. There are situations in our life that need to be changed. Maybe it is a recurring ailment that keeps one feeling both spiritually and physically drained. Perhaps it is a battle with depression that one can't seem to conquer. It might be a spiritual bondage from which you have give up hope of ever being free. Whatever the problem, "it is what it is" is not the answer.
In the Old Testament God introduced himself to Moses as "I am who I am." Moses wanted to know God's name because he wanted some assurance that God could do what he said he was going to do. God's only answer was, "I am." God's Old Testament name, "JEHOVAH", actually is a form of the verb "to be". Whatever Moses needed, God was the answer.
In the same way, God wants to be your answer today. Maybe you don't see how your situation can ever be any different; perhaps you have given up hope that you can change. If you are dealing with things in your life that aren't as they should be, they don't have to stay that way. Because God "IS WHO HE IS" things can be different.
Faith is expressing belief that because "GOD IS" my situations don't "have to be". If I give them to Jesus he can work them out. I am not talking about doing away with practicality and reason. I am suggesting that we don't let "reason" deprive us of a blessing. If God promised it I can have it, because HE IS.
In Faith,
Sullivan Jones
4/4/13
Scripture Only
Study to shew yourself approved unto God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. II Timothy 2:15
The great cry of the Protestant Reformation in Europe was "Sola Scriptura" which is a Latin phrase meaning scripture only. At that time most of the world did not have the Bible in its own language. The Bible was available mainly in Latin which most people (other than clergy and scholars) did not speak. The only thing that most people knew about the Bible was what was told to the by the clergy. Because most people could not read the scriptures, they came to rely upon the clergymen to interprate the Bible for them. Althought this in itself was not necessarily a bad thing, it had its drawbacks. Since the comman man could not go to the scripture for himself, he had to believe whatever the clergy told him was written there. There was not system of checks and balances to make sure that one person's understanding was the correct one. In time, the scriptural interpretations of the state church came to be equated with the scripture itself. In other words, what the pastor said about a scripture was given equal spiritual authority with the scripture even if it contradicted the scripture or explained it away. When printing became readily available and the Bible was printed in the common language of the day, many realized for the first time the blatant errors that were being taught and took a stand against them.
In 2013 we live in the most educated society in the history of the world. Because of television, the average high school student has watched an open heart surgery. Most of us know far more about the world than Columbus ever did, without having ever left our living rooms. Yet our world is sadly lacking in knowledge of the Bible. We send our young people off to get secular educations with dollar signs in mind. Even those who feel a call to preach are discouraged from getting Bible college educations because they can make more money with secular degrees.
Liberal theologians are telling us that the Bible doesn't have to be taken literally; we can choose which parts of it we want to believe. We are told that there are many paths to God when Jesus said that "No one comes unto the Father except through him." There is an all out war in today's world against Christianity and the teachings of God's word. Those who insist that the Bible is a book to be obeyed are labeled at bigots and as being prejudiced.
We have arrived at a place again where most know only what has been told to them about the Bible. Very few have read the Bible for themselves. Even fewer are willing to take a stand if it goes agianst what grandma or grandpa taught them. With no disrespect to my forefathers, I am more interested in knowing what the scripture says for myself than in listening to someone else's interpretation of it. As a minister and Bible teacher I encourage my students to read the scripture for themselves. I am not worried that they might take a different view than I have. I am open to anything as long as it is in the scripture. If one day I will be judged by the scripture then I need to make sure I know what is in it. My eternal destiny depends on it.
If I have a creed it is this: SOLA SCRIPTURA - SCRIPTURE ONLY. It is the only thing that matters.
The great cry of the Protestant Reformation in Europe was "Sola Scriptura" which is a Latin phrase meaning scripture only. At that time most of the world did not have the Bible in its own language. The Bible was available mainly in Latin which most people (other than clergy and scholars) did not speak. The only thing that most people knew about the Bible was what was told to the by the clergy. Because most people could not read the scriptures, they came to rely upon the clergymen to interprate the Bible for them. Althought this in itself was not necessarily a bad thing, it had its drawbacks. Since the comman man could not go to the scripture for himself, he had to believe whatever the clergy told him was written there. There was not system of checks and balances to make sure that one person's understanding was the correct one. In time, the scriptural interpretations of the state church came to be equated with the scripture itself. In other words, what the pastor said about a scripture was given equal spiritual authority with the scripture even if it contradicted the scripture or explained it away. When printing became readily available and the Bible was printed in the common language of the day, many realized for the first time the blatant errors that were being taught and took a stand against them.
In 2013 we live in the most educated society in the history of the world. Because of television, the average high school student has watched an open heart surgery. Most of us know far more about the world than Columbus ever did, without having ever left our living rooms. Yet our world is sadly lacking in knowledge of the Bible. We send our young people off to get secular educations with dollar signs in mind. Even those who feel a call to preach are discouraged from getting Bible college educations because they can make more money with secular degrees.
Liberal theologians are telling us that the Bible doesn't have to be taken literally; we can choose which parts of it we want to believe. We are told that there are many paths to God when Jesus said that "No one comes unto the Father except through him." There is an all out war in today's world against Christianity and the teachings of God's word. Those who insist that the Bible is a book to be obeyed are labeled at bigots and as being prejudiced.
We have arrived at a place again where most know only what has been told to them about the Bible. Very few have read the Bible for themselves. Even fewer are willing to take a stand if it goes agianst what grandma or grandpa taught them. With no disrespect to my forefathers, I am more interested in knowing what the scripture says for myself than in listening to someone else's interpretation of it. As a minister and Bible teacher I encourage my students to read the scripture for themselves. I am not worried that they might take a different view than I have. I am open to anything as long as it is in the scripture. If one day I will be judged by the scripture then I need to make sure I know what is in it. My eternal destiny depends on it.
If I have a creed it is this: SOLA SCRIPTURA - SCRIPTURE ONLY. It is the only thing that matters.
4/2/13
Graduation Day
"In the Spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love", said Alfred Loyd Tennyson. Everyone loves the spring time. It is a time of new hope and fresh plans. It is a time for weddings and proms and mainly for graduations. In just a few weeks young people all over the nation will be graduating from both high school and college. They will, no doubt, be full of hopes and dreams for the future. I'm sure there are many busy making plans for "after graduation." Some are cramming for final exams; others are wondering if they will pass math or English in time to graduate. Very few have anything long term on their minds.
As important as graduation is, there is another date which is far more important. It is a date that all of us must keep and for which very few are truly prepared. The date is not set in stone; it is different for all of us. It is the date on which we will graduate from this life. Hebrews 9:27 tells us that it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this the judgement. You see, that day will truly be a graduation day. Right now is just the school time that is preparing us for where we will spend eternity. We are taking the tests at this very moment. On that day the books will be opened (Revelation 20:12) and the grades will be read. It will be too late to study. Whatever grades we have made will be recorded there for everyone to see.
I don't know about you, but I made a few grades in school that I really would not want anyone to see. Some of my college classes I had to retake because I wasn't as diligent as I could have been the first time around. I'm sure we've all had to take make-up tests because we were absent from school on a certain day. On that day, there will be no make-up tests. The make-ups must be done before one's name is called.
We must all examine ourselves to see if we are ready for that day or not. If not, there is still hope. There is still time to find a place of repentance and let the blood of Jesus wash us clean. There is still time to restore that broken relationship that we messed up. There is still time to right any wrongs that we may have done to someone, whether intentionally or not. But I challenge you not to wait too long thinking that there is plenty of time. Your graduation day may be sooner than you expected.
Thoughtfully Yours,
Sullivan Jones
As important as graduation is, there is another date which is far more important. It is a date that all of us must keep and for which very few are truly prepared. The date is not set in stone; it is different for all of us. It is the date on which we will graduate from this life. Hebrews 9:27 tells us that it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this the judgement. You see, that day will truly be a graduation day. Right now is just the school time that is preparing us for where we will spend eternity. We are taking the tests at this very moment. On that day the books will be opened (Revelation 20:12) and the grades will be read. It will be too late to study. Whatever grades we have made will be recorded there for everyone to see.
I don't know about you, but I made a few grades in school that I really would not want anyone to see. Some of my college classes I had to retake because I wasn't as diligent as I could have been the first time around. I'm sure we've all had to take make-up tests because we were absent from school on a certain day. On that day, there will be no make-up tests. The make-ups must be done before one's name is called.
We must all examine ourselves to see if we are ready for that day or not. If not, there is still hope. There is still time to find a place of repentance and let the blood of Jesus wash us clean. There is still time to restore that broken relationship that we messed up. There is still time to right any wrongs that we may have done to someone, whether intentionally or not. But I challenge you not to wait too long thinking that there is plenty of time. Your graduation day may be sooner than you expected.
Thoughtfully Yours,
Sullivan Jones
4/1/13
All Fools Day
The first of April has been referred to for centuries as All Fools' Day and then later as April Fools' Day. The day has its origins in the medieval Feast of Fools celebrated in December. It was a day to masquerade as someone in authority such as the bishop or king in order to mock them. It generally had a festive fair and joke playing was usually themed around making fun of the rich or church leaders. The fool was the object of the ridicule.
The Bible has a different definition for a fool. Psalm 14:1 tells us "The fool has said in his heart, there is no God." I recently saw a missions video that captured a sign on a train in Europe. The sign said, "There is probably no God so stop worrying and enjoy your life." I immediately wished I had been there to see the sign. I would want to tell the person responsible that I am enjoying my life BECAUSE I KNOW that there is a God.
It is foolish to believe that this life is all there is. Everything in our world points to a divine creator. It is equally foolish to assume that the God who created all is not interested in how we live our lives. He is very interested in every detail. If it concerns you, it concerns him. He has your well-being at heart.
There will come a day when all the joke playing will cease. On that great day of judgement, in whom will they trust who have denied the existence of our God? Psalm 33:17 says "It is vain to trust in a horse for deliverance." That is trusting in our own strength. In a time of trouble I had rather put my trust in the God who knows all and sees all than to chance life without him. That is why I can say, I truly am enjoying my life.
God Bless,
Rev. Sullivan Jones
The Bible has a different definition for a fool. Psalm 14:1 tells us "The fool has said in his heart, there is no God." I recently saw a missions video that captured a sign on a train in Europe. The sign said, "There is probably no God so stop worrying and enjoy your life." I immediately wished I had been there to see the sign. I would want to tell the person responsible that I am enjoying my life BECAUSE I KNOW that there is a God.
It is foolish to believe that this life is all there is. Everything in our world points to a divine creator. It is equally foolish to assume that the God who created all is not interested in how we live our lives. He is very interested in every detail. If it concerns you, it concerns him. He has your well-being at heart.
There will come a day when all the joke playing will cease. On that great day of judgement, in whom will they trust who have denied the existence of our God? Psalm 33:17 says "It is vain to trust in a horse for deliverance." That is trusting in our own strength. In a time of trouble I had rather put my trust in the God who knows all and sees all than to chance life without him. That is why I can say, I truly am enjoying my life.
God Bless,
Rev. Sullivan Jones
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