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!
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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