HE IS!

I found this blog in an old journal this morning during my prayer time. It seemed to speak right to me and I thought I would share. It is dated Monday, March 1, 2010, 10:50 p.m.

Sometime's it is hard to know God's will. His voice is clear but my human reasoning gets in the way. I know that God desires only the best for but just because I know something doesn't mean I feel it. You know what I mean. That deep down place wants to have faith. But then my logic kicks in. Oh when will I ever learn to stop thinking and just listen!

Logic has its place; no one would deny that. But my human logic often gets in the way of my faith. I vow to do better. I will trust God. I promise this to myself and to Him too. But then the unexpected occurs.  A family tragedy strikes. There are problems on my job. A bill is due. There is not enough money, it seems. Will I fret or will I listen to the voice of my friend?

I hear him whisper; "I'm still here", he says. I have gone nowhere. I never will. Trust me. Be still and know that I am God.

So I will stop and listen. I will not speak, but wait. It may take a moment. My mind is crowded. It gently clears and I hear my best friend speak.

"Be still. Be not afraid. I will lead you. It will all work out." Strengthened, I arise to face a new day. Where moments before there was turmoil, now there is peace. God hears. God understands. I will not be afraid. Through Christ I can; I will; I am. Because HE IS. Amen! 

The Gift that will last forever

Yesterday morning I was thinking about how temporary everything in this life is. Nothing here in this world lasts forever. At this time of year we give gifts that we think will make the person happy but the happiness is short lived. In a few days, weeks, or months the new wears off and we are on the hunt for something else that we think will satisfy us.

As I was contemplating this I absentmindedly turned the radio on in my car. I don't normally listen to the radio when I am alone except for books on cd but I love Christmas music. As I flipped on the radio this guy was saying, "give the gift that lasts forever. Name a star after someone." Perhaps you have heard of this but I had not until that moment. If you send a certain amount of money to this organization they will look through the star charts and supposedly find a star that hasn't been named and name it after your loved one. It will be recorded in the Library of Congress or some such agency and you will be sent a certificate with the details. This  gift is supposed to last forever. (Forgive me for laughing!)

I immediately thought of the scripture in Mark 13:25 where Jesus said that the stars would fall from heaven. In this chapter he prophecies of the destruction of the world and all that is in it. Even the heavens are not exempt. John the revelator prophesied in Revelation 21:1 of a new heaven and a new earth. So you see, even the heavens are not forever. The only thing that will last forever is God and his word.

Psalm 199:89 says, "forever, O Lord, your word is settled in heaven." The only thing that we can build our lives on is the word of God. It is the only sure foundation. Everything else will eventually crumble and decay. God 's word has stood the test of time and eternity and we can never fail by putting our trust in him.

The reason for the season is that "the word became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14). Jesus Christ is the living, breathing word of God. As such, He is the only one worthy of our trust. This world will pass away and all of its lust but he that does the will of God will abide forever (I John 2:17). So give yourself the gift that lasts forever. Put your trust in Jesus today. He will be here when the world is long gone.

Merry Christmas,

Rev. Sullivan Jones

He has the answers!

The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear. The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid. Psalm 27: 1

This has been one of my favorite scriptures since I was a small child. I am so thankful that I know the Lord. I see people everyday who try to handle their problems all on their own without prayer. It doesn't work. Life is too big. The questions are too hard and the impossibilities to endless. But when I put my faith in Jesus, the whole big, wide world shrinks in proportion to who my God is. When I need him, he is always there. He has been more than faithful, even when I haven't been.

As a minister, people always have theological questions for me. Sometimes I know the answers and sometimes I don't. I am a student of theology so technically I can give the right answers but that doesn't always mean that the "right" answer is needed at the moment. What most people want to know is,"does God care about where I am?" "Why is he allowing this to happen to me?" The answers I can give are, "Yes, God cares," and "I don't know why this happened." Does that mean I have any less faith in God.

No, because his presence is so real and so sweet. Even when I don't know the answers he is always as close as the mention of his name. Sometimes when I call him he explains things to me. Many times he does not. He just shows up and puts his "arms" around me. He whispers in my ear, "I am here, just trust me." Like a parent with a child, my God is always around.

When I was a child and didn't feel well I wanted my mom. Now, as an adult, I want my wife, Gail. Just one sight of her and I calm down. But there are things in my life that Gail can't calm. There has never been a time when I called on God that he didn't calm my fears. He knows what I need and he knows what you need. If you have questions today, Jesus is the answer. Just call on His name, he'll be there. You can count on it!

Trusting in Jesus,

Sullivan Jones