Faith

There is a plaque on the wall in my living room that says "Have faith in God." It has a story to tell because when I see it I am reminded of how God's faithfulness. It is a story of God's miraculous intervention and most of all it reminds me of how much he loves me.

Several years ago my wife and I were in need of a vehicle. We were driving a borrowed car that was on its last leg. We were in the process of moving from Wiggins to Jackson and knew that we could not move until we had another vehicle. We were hesistant to make a note we couldn't afford and although we had looked at several vehicles, each time we seemed to hear God say "wait."

One day I was walking through the Dollar General store on Siwell Road in Jackson and my eyes fell on this plaque. Immediately I felt the Lord impress me to buy it and put it in our living room. I felt that it was an expression of faith that God was going to take care of us.  We were literally counting our last few dollars to buy a few groceries and I had to ask my wife if there was enough to buy the plaque.  I spent my last 8 dollars on that plaque but I left the store with peace knowing that God was in control.

The  next week the Lord provided enough money for us to get on to our next preaching engagement which was in my home town in south Louisiana. I was scheduled to preach Sunday morning and Sunday night at Beam of Life Tabernacle for Pastor Frank Manguno. After Sunday morning service we ate lunch with the pastor at his home. During the meal he asked me about our vehicle but said nothing more. That night after I preached, Pastor Frank came to the pulpit and said God had spoken to him. He then explained our need for a vehicle to the congregation.

What happened next is still one of the most amazing things I have ever witnessed. In a matter of a few mintues, as my wife and I sat in shock, wiping tears, he took a ten thousand dollar offering to buy us a vehicle. There were not 50 people in that church that night but the ones who were there apparently were givers.

After church Pastor Frank told us to go that week and find the vehicle we wanted. On Thursday his wife drove to meet us with the offering and by Friday we were the owners of a shiny red Nissan Xterra. When I looked back later I was so thankful that I had not gone out and made a car note I couldn't afford. God provided in his own good time. Now when I see that plaque I am reminded that I can depend on him.

Trusting in His Care,

Rev. Sullivan Jones

It Wasn't the Nails

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

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